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Municipal Elections Held in Nepal

Voters cast ballots Wednesday in municipal elections that King Gyanendra has described as a vital first step in restoring democracy, but threats of violence by Maoist rebels and a boycott by mainstream political parties sharply limited turnout in most areas, according to reports from around the country. Maoist rebels launched several overnight attacks, including one in the eastern town of Dhankuta that killed a policeman and a civilian.

More than half of the races were uncontested. "The seven parties have called for a boycott, and I also believe in democracy, so that is why I probably will not be taking part," said Shanta Shikkarkar, 29, a clothing-shop owner sporting sunglasses and an Adidas windbreaker. "The whole international community is saying this election is a farce."

The local elections come little more than a year after King Gyanendra, 58, assumed direct rule and dismissed the government in a move that sparked international condemnation and heightened fears about the stability of this ancient Himalayan kingdom. Nepal had been governed as a constitutional monarchy, albeit a deeply troubled one, since 1990. To minimize protests during the elections, the government has cracked down on political opponents and human rights activists, hundreds of whom have been arrested in the last several weeks.