Katmandu, Nepal ? Faced with opposition and rebel threats to disrupt municipal elections today, Nepal’s government ordered security forces to shoot anyone who tries to interfere with the vote for mayors and local officials.

As polls opened for Nepal’s first vote in seven years, heavily guarded polling stations in the capital were nearly empty. The elections were intended to quell the long-running power struggle among the monarchy, political parties and Maoist rebels. Instead, they appear to have exacerbated it.

The insurgents have threatened to kill anyone who takes part in the vote – two candidates already have been slain – prompting the government to take out life insurance policies worth up to $10,300 for the more than 2,000 candidates.

Nepal’s royal government ordered soldiers and police to shoot anyone trying to interfere with the elections after Maoist rebels killed seven police officers and soldiers in two attacks. A rebel also was killed.