Security stepped up as millions of Nepalese vote in second round voting of historic local elections

Millions of people in Nepal were voting on Wednesday in the second phase of local elections to choose municipal and village councils despite threats from ethnic groups that oppose the polls.

More than 162,000 security forces were patrolling the election areas. There were no immediate reports of election-related violence.

The local elections are being held for the first time in two decades in the Himalayan nation, which was wracked by a long-running communist insurgency followed by a years-long delay in passing a new constitution.

Voting was taking place on Wednesday in three of Nepal’s seven provinces. Three other provinces held elections last month, and another will vote in September.

Ethnic groups in southern Nepal have called for a boycott of the polls, saying their demand for more territory in their province needs to be addressed first.