Riot police in the Bangladeshi capital used tear gas and batons Monday to disperse thousands of protesters demanding electoral reforms and postponement of this month's elections.

At least 50 people were injured when security forces clashed with protestors in Bangladesh's capital Sunday at the start of a three-day transport blockade. The blockade - staged by the Awami League opposition alliance -aims to force the government to delay the January 22 elections and to implement electoral reform. Anjana Pasricha has more on the story for VOA News from New Delhi.

Indonesia and its tsunami-ravaged Aceh province have taken another big step away from their conflict-ridden past with first-ever direct elections in the former separatist region. The historic December 11 provincial vote - part of a 2005 peace deal - has ushered in a former rebel with the Free Aceh Movement as governor. Now the focus is on Aceh's future and the prospects for rebels-turned-politicians making good on promises to lift the people out of poverty and fighting.

Analysts say partial results from the December 15 city council and Assembly of Experts elections in Iran could signal a defeat for the supporters of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad who -- after 18 months in power -- was facing the first public test of his government's rule. Reports say opponents of Iran's hard-line president have a clear lead in races for local councils and for the Assembly of Experts.