NEPALESE security forces were on high alert yesterday as the country’s constituent assembly prepared to vote on a new constitution.

Assembly members are due to vote on the final draft of the document today, after more than 40 people have been killed in weeks of protests against certain clauses.

The new constitution will replace the interim charter adopted in 2007, following the overthrow of the monarchy and the victory of the ­Communist Party Of Nepal (Maoist) in parliamentary elections.