Violence disrupts Nepalese ballot

A REBEL attack and an army shooting of protesters marred Nepal’s first elections in seven years, as few voters turned out yesterday at schools, shrines and temples for municipal balloting seen as a referendum on the king. At least six people were killed.

Maoist rebels and nearly all the major political parties had pledged to disrupt the poll - calling it a sham intended to legitimise the rule of King Gyanendra, who seized power a year ago. The government warned it would shoot anyone trying to do so.

After polls closed at 5pm, Chief Election Commissioner Keshav Raj Rajbhandari said preliminary turnout was just over 20% nationwide. The final figure was still being tabulated.