The newly elected special assembly in Nepal is poised to abolish the country's centuries-old monarchy, and declare the state a republic. This will mark the culmination of a long campaign by Nepal's Maoists to transform the nation. This report from Charles Haviland:

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The key vote has been postponed for a few hours. A senior politician told the BBC top party leaders are trying to work out temporary arrangements for a head of state's position but he said that, even if that's not agreed today, the republic will be voted in.

The politician said King Gyanendra is concerned about his own security today and in the future and that he's likely to be given an ultimatum of fifteen days to leave the royal palace.

Charles Haviland, BBC News, Kathmandu

Listen to the words

The stage is set
here, all the necessary preparations have been made

cordons of police
lines of police and their vehicles surrounding an area to control access to it

body armour
strong protective covering for the body

shields
large flat objects made of strong plastic that police officers hold in front of their bodies to protect themselves

razor wire
a thin metal thread with sharp pieces of metal fixed along its length, used for fences and barriers

slogans
short distinctive phrases used to identify an organisation and/or its goals

The key vote
the main/most important vote (here, on getting rid of the King and turning Nepal into a republic)

to work out temporary arrangements
here, to devise and agree the way in which the new head of state will carry out his duties over the next few weeks

the republic will be voted in
the assembly's majority will vote for Nepal becoming a republic

an ultimatum
here, if the King does not leave the palace within fifteen days of his own accord, he will be made to leave by using force

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