All over Nepal, droves of voters gather at neighborhood temples and schools to cast their votes with hopes of a new and peaceful country.

Long lines are seen outside the many polling stations as the voting get underway. All under the watchful eyes of international election observers.

[Jan Mudler, Election Observer]:
"The reading I have gotten from the polling stations I have visited until now is positive, there are several reports from elsewhere in the country that it is not completely okay, so, let's not praise the day until it is over, we have to await developments."

Most shops are closed and the streets are quiet due to a vehicle ban to prevent violence and illegal voting practices. About 135,000 police are keeping watch.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is also heading a monitoring mission.

[Jimmy Carter, Election Monitor]:
"Any violence is unfortunate but I think it has not interrupted the process of elections."

Many Nepali Royalists are worried about the idea of the monarchy being abolished and are calling for a referendum.

[Rambahadur Tamang, Retired Office Employee]:
"Since the King has been around for a long time, he should be given a proper place."

The elections are a key demand of Maoist former rebels who ended their decade-long civil war in 2006.

[Haripiya Aryal, Retired Airline Employee]:
"The objective that people have been fighting for a long time will be accomplished and peace will also prevail, I am confident about that."

But rebel armed groups have called for a boycott of the polls and threatened voters in the country's southeast. They do not trust a promise of greater regional autonomy after the election.

Ballot boxes will be collected in Kathmandu immediately after polls close and votes are counted. But it could be weeks before the result is announced.