Kathmandu, Apr 10 (ANI): Around sixty per cent of electorate exercised their franchise on Thursday in the crucial Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal.

According to reports, polling concluded successfully.

Election Commission officials said that except a few incidents, the election was a "big success" and that voter turnout in majority of the districts was "more than anticipated."

The EC is yet to release official figures.

Arghakhanchi district had over 70 percent turnout, Rukum 60 percent, Surkhet 65 percent, Bardiya 67 percent, Mugu 60 percent, Humla 63 percent, Banke and Surkhet 65 percent and Salyan 62 percent, nepalnews.com reported.

The polling went smoothly in Terai and eastern districts namely Morang, Sunsari, Bara, Prasa, Rautahat and Jhapa, while balloting was postponed in nearly a dozen stations in Chitwan, Siraha, Saptari and Mahottari districts.

There were no reports of cancellation of polling in mid and far-western districts. However, Shambhu Prasad Singh, an independent candidate in Sarlahi constituency-6, was shot dead, nepalnews.com reported.  Shah, who was shot by unidentified gunmen in the Gadahiya area of Sarlahi, died while being rushed to a hospital.

Soon after the voting for the crucial Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal ended, the Indian Government on Thursday hailed it as a "welcome and historic step" towards realising the aspirations of the people of Nepal for a democratic future.

"This happy outcome is a product of the determination of the people of Nepal, with significant contributions by the political parties and the Election Commission of Nepal," statement by official spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry said.

The Constituent Assembly provides a platform for the people of Nepal to determine the manner of their governance and their future, said the statement.

"As always, India will stand by the people of Nepal in the major tasks of democratization and development that lie ahead while building a stable, prosperous and peaceful Nepal," it added. (ANI)