Kathmandu - The Nepalese government Monday formally set May 28 as the date for the start of the constituent assembly that is expected to vote to end monarchy in Nepal.

The official Nepal Television said Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala had sent a formal letter to 25 parties represented in the constituent assembly announcing the first meeting.

The assembly's main task is to draft a new constitution and ratify the interim parliament's decision to abolish monarchy.

The assembly will also form a new government, likely to be headed by the Maoists which won 220 seats in the 601 member assembly.

The ratification proposal needs only a simple majority to be adopted.

The seven-party alliance which has ruled Nepal for the past two years has said the first sitting of the assembly would formally declare the country a republic.

Political analysts say the ratification of the parliament's decision to abolish monarchy is merely a formality now and is expected to pass through easily,

The vote would bring to an end 240 years of monarchy. (dpa)