Millions of Filipinos seeking a clean start after a decade of corruption-tainted politics voted in elections today despite scattered violence and glitches with vote-counting machines being used for the first time.

Afghanistan’s parliament dealt a stinging rebuke to President Hamid Karzai today by rejecting 70% of his nominees for a new Cabinet.

The chief officer of Afghanistan’s elections commission said today a parliamentary vote will be held in May despite widespread international concern the country’s electoral system needs serious reform.

Nepal’s royal government – which seized absolute power earlier this year - announced today the date for municipal elections, a tentative step towards restoring democracy in the Himalayan kingdom.