By 2PM about 100 people had voted at the polling station at Padma Kanya School, Dilibajar, one of four polling centres in Kathmandu ward 32. The ward had 1,727 eligible voters, according to an official there.

"I\'m a little bit nervous," said Polling Officer DL Karna. "We have to complete our job on time and do it properly." But Karna said he wasn\'t worried about security. About a dozen soldiers and armed police guarded the premises and searched people entering the grounds. However, one voter, Ret\'d Capt Ratna Rai, wanted to talk about security and the conflict.

"In all developed and civilised countries people have a right to vote, to select their leadres. Here in Nepal people are using live bullets, explosions and violent rallies to get power. That is very bad," said Rai, who served in the British Army.

PICS: MARTY LOGAN

A deserted Patali Sadak on Wednesday afternoon.

Youngsters in Charkhal took advantage of the government ban on vehicles to play an impromptu game of street cricket.