Thimphu, March 24: Bhutan`s first general elections that will end more than a century of Monarchy on Monday evoked an enthusiastic response from voters, with over 30 per cent casting their ballot in just two hours.

Voting was peaceful in the land-locked country, were men in traditional `ghos` and women in `kiras` were seen lining up to vote as polling for the country`s National Assembly or Lower House began at 9 am, half-an-hour ahead of Indian time.

"Till 11 am, a turnout of 30.75 per cent was reported from across the country," Election Commissioner Deki Pema said. "A total of 97,921 people have voted so far with Lingmukha-Toewang registering the highest percentage of 64.34 and Shompangkha a least of 12.23 per cent," she said.

According to her, there has been no untoward incident reported from anywhere in the country, which is observing a national holiday today. "We hope everything goes on well in a peaceful manner."

In the two constituencies in capital Thimphu, the turnout was average. "In north Thimphu it was 21.13 per cent while in south Thimphu it was 32.19 per cent," she said.

Counting will begin soon after polling ends at 5 pm.

International observers, monitoring the polls, expressed happiness over the smooth conduct. "The polls are being held in an orderly manner and the turnout is appreciative," said Ted Osius, US` Political Minister Counselor.

"The elections have been well organised and the Election Commission of Bhutan should be lauded," Osius told.

"The whole process has been well-planned and it is great to see the eagerness of the voters to come out and vote," said Pushpinder Dhillon, first secretary in the US embassy in New Delhi.

A UN observer said Bhutan`s transition to democracy will be smooth going by the progress of the political process it has adopted. A total of 865 polling stations have been set up across the country and 3,18,465 voters are on the electoral rolls.

Bhutan`s transition to democracy actually began in 2001 when former King Jigme Singye Wangchuk handed over the powers of daily governance to a council of ministers. In 2006, he abdicated the throne in favour of his Oxford-educated son Jigme Khesar Namgyel.

In the run-up to the National Assembly polls, two rounds of dummy elections were held last April and May in which the Bhutanese voted for traditional values.

Bhutan elected 15 members to its National Council or Upper House of Parliament on December 31 last year and five others on January 29. The king will appoint five more members.