Confounding pessimistic predictions of widespread violence, Nepalis turned out enthusiastically on Thursday to vote in a historic and largely trouble-free election they pray will bring lasting peace.

Many queued from dawn and others trekked long distances in the Himalayan foothills to cast their votes in the country's first national poll in nine years. Turnout was estimated at around 60 percent.

The vote is the centrepiece of a 2006 peace deal with Maoist guerrillas to end a decade-long civil war, and marks the transformation of the rebels into a legitimate political party.

Peace was the first word on almost every voter's lips.

"We came for peace," said Chini Phuyal, 50, who trekked for three hours to reach a polling station perched on a steep, terraced hillside near the village of Okharpauwa.

"The main thing is that people should not get killed," she said, dressed in a bright red saree commonly worn by married women in the countryside.

Nepalis were electing a 601-member assembly that is supposed to write a new constitution, abolish a 240-year-old Hindu monarchy and serve as a parliament for at least two years in one of the world's poorest countries.

One candidate was shot dead and a party worker killed in a separate clash in Nepal's southeastern plains, but observers and officials said the election, guarded by around 135,000 police, had passed much more peacefully than expected.

"Given the fears we had, it was a very peaceful election," said Chief Election Commissioner Bhojraj Pokharel. "We are very happy and I feel proud."

The Election Commission ordered re-polling in 33 out of more than 20,000 polling centres after clashes or threats to voters and officials. But a home ministry spokesman said the vote had been "unexpectedly smooth" and very enthusiastic.

United Nations spokesman Kieran Dwyer said it had been a "very significant day for Nepal", with many people very happy and relieved to be given the chance to express their will.

INTIMIDATION