Nazarbayev approves regional Akims election
Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev has signed a law vesting local government with greater powers.
Women see flicker of hope for rights in Iran vote
Iran's presidential election is offering a flicker of hope to activists hoping to revive women's rights after they deteriorated during the eight years of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency.
Candidates blame mismanagement for Iran economy crisis
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's "mismanagement" is largely responsible for Iran's severe economic crisis, most candidates for this week's presidential election have argued.
Bhutan to begin voting on second ever government
Voters in the isolated Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan will begin electing their second ever government this week, five years after the country's Buddhist "dragon kings" gave way to democracy.
Italy holds local polls in test for parties
Italians voted in local polls on Sunday that will test political parties three months from a general election that left no clear winner and a month after the start of a fragile coalition cabinet.
Madagascar strongman says won't run in vote if rivals withdraw
Madagascar leader Andry Rajoelina has vowed to withdraw his controversial candidacy for upcoming presidential polls if his rivals do the same, as mediators scramble to save a deal aimed at ending a four-year political deadlock.
Swazi albinos plead for protection ahead of vote
Swaziland's albinos have called on the government for protection ahead of elections expected later this year, fearing their body parts will be harvested by candidates seeking good luck.
US slams Iran's disqualification of candidates
The United States on Tuesday condemned Iran's disqualification of hundreds of would-be presidential candidates, accusing the "unaccountable" clerical leadership of seeking to tighten its grip on power.
Obama congratulates Pakistan on vote
President Barack Obama congratulated Pakistan Sunday on its parliamentary elections and said Washington was ready to work "as equal partners" with the government that emerges.
Deadlock, demos loom after tight Bulgarian election
The European Union's poorest country Bulgaria faced fresh political uncertainty Monday after inconclusive elections held three months after the biggest demonstrations in years forced the government to resign.
Philippine holds elections vital for Aquino reforms
The Philippines held elections Monday seen as crucial for President Benigno Aquino's bold reform agenda, as deadly violence and graft-tainted candidates underlined the nation's deep-rooted problems.
New Pakistan government to hold firm on Taliban
Pakistan's incoming prime minister Nawaz Sharif looks set to be a pragmatic ally of Washington, unlikely to end the war against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban as he seeks to focus on fixing the economy.
Voters throng polls in Pakistan's political heart
Saima Ali had a message for Pakistan's women as the country went to the polls: ignore the Taliban threats and vote.
Bomb attack in Karachi wounds 12 as voting begins
A bomb blast targeting an election candidate wounded at least 12 people in Pakistan's commercial hub of Karachi as historic elections got underway on Saturday.
Armenia's ruling party wins Yerevan mayor race amid tensions
Armenia's ruling party has comfortably won a mayoral election in the capital Yerevan.
Malaysian coalition retains power, opposition alleges fraud
Malaysia's ruling coalition retained its 56-year grip on power in hard-fought elections and called for "reconciliation" Monday, as the opposition alleged widespread fraud and refused to concede defeat.
UN Security Council worried by 'volatile' Guinea
The UN Security Council on Monday expressed concern over "volatile" events in Guinea in the runup to a bitterly contested election in June.
Venezuela vote audit, rejected by opposition, begins
Venezuelan authorities on Monday began a partial audit of the disputed election won by the late Hugo Chavez's handpicked successor, as the opposition rejected the move as insufficient.
Malaysia braces for its closest election ever
When Malaysian voters cast ballots in Sunday's general election it will be the first time in the country's history that they do so without knowing the eventual winner.
New Italy PM to unveil programme for change
Italy's new Prime Minister Enrico Letta was set to unveil his coalition government's programme on Monday, under the watchful gaze of international markets and European partners.