Katmandu, Nepal: Election officials have begun counting votes cast during election for a special assembly to draw up a long-delayed constitution and pick a new government.
Election Commission official Bir Bahadur Rai said the counting started Wednesday morning in at least one district and boxes filled with ballot papers had reached counting centers in 20 districts. Counting was expected to begin in the capital Katmandu by midday Wednesday.
Rai said arrangements were being made to fly ballot boxes from some mountain areas by helicopter because snow had blocked roads.
More than 70 percent of the 12 million eligible voters cast their votes during Tuesday's election in Nepal to choose the 601-member Constituent Assembly that would double as the parliament.
