In pictures: Nepal elections

After years of delays, Nepal has held municipal elections, its first national vote since 1999.

The vote is seen as a key test of King Gyanendra's rule, a year after he seized power.

There was tight security, after a number of people were killed in clashes between government troops and Maoist rebels.

Turnout was reported to be very low, after the rebels ordered a general strike and opposition parties called for a boycott.

Maoist rebels also threatened candidates, and a quarter of the 4,000 seats had no-one standing at all.

The shutdown was called off soon after polls closed. Results are expected on Thursday.

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