Millions of Nepalese vote despite bombing, threats

Millions of Nepalese turned up at the polls Tuesday to elect a new constituent assembly, braving threats of violence.

One polling station was hit by a blast after voting began, injuring three people in the capital of Kathmandu. One of the victims was a young boy who was seriously hurt by the explosion.

Officials said that the election turnout was around 70 percent, as Nepalese citizens voted for the 601-member assembly that will be tasked with writing a long-delayed constitution. It will also act as a parliament and establish a government.

The previous assembly collapsed in May 2012 after failing to write a constitution, and Nepal has had no leader for long periods of time.

More from GlobalPost: Nepal's revolutionary leader loses his appeal as nation limps to the polls

An interim government, formed earlier this year and led by the Supreme Court's chief judge, Khilraj Regmi, sought to break the stalemate and usher in a new political era with the election.

The Maoist party threatened to disrupt the elections. Meanwhile, anti-poll protesters resorted to violence in recent weeks. At least 30 people were wounded in small blasts ahead of the elections.

The Washington Post's Anup Kaphle tweeted this photo of the boy reportedly injured in the blast Tuesday:

Over 200,000 police and soldiers were deployed throughout the country to monitor polling stations.

This is Nepal's second election after a 10-year Maoist revolt ended in 2006. Election results are not due for several weeks.