Maoist rebels in Nepal are warning that they will disrupt local elections set for February 8, while opposition parties say they will boycott the poll.

Communist rebels said in a statement they would take action against election workers and candidates.  They did not elaborate.

The Communist Party of Nepal-UML also announced the seven main opposition parties plan to boycott the election and will try to persuade potential voters not to cast ballots.

Opposition parties have said elections under King Gyanendra, who seized absolute power last February, are meaningless.

King Gyanendra said he seized power, because the previous government had failed to deal with the Maoist insurgency that has killed 12,000 people over nearly a decade.

Nepal's main political parties have since formed a loose alliance with the Maoists aimed at returning Nepal to democratic rule.