Millions of voters in Nepal have cast their ballots in the country’s first general election since violent youth-led protests toppled the government last September.

The demonstrations, driven largely by members of Generation Z, erupted over widespread concerns about corruption, economic stagnation and social inequality. The unrest turned deadly, with 77 people killed during clashes, many of them protesters shot by police.

The election is widely viewed as a turning point for Nepal’s political future, as established political figures compete against a younger generation of leaders seeking to channel the frustrations of Gen Z voters demanding sweeping reforms.

Votes are being counted for all 275 seats in the country’s parliament, the House of Representatives of Nepal. Officials say the process could take several days, with final results not expected until next week.

Counting is particularly slow due to Nepal’s rugged mountainous terrain, which makes transporting ballot boxes difficult. In addition, votes are counted manually across many districts.

Nearly 19 million people were registered to vote in the 5 March election, including close to one million first-time voters. The Election Commission of Nepal said shortly after polls closed that turnout was expected to reach about 60%.

Despite the country’s tense political climate, voting was largely peaceful. Security forces were heavily deployed nationwide to prevent unrest.

Among the leading figures in the race is former prime minister KP Sharma Oli, who was removed from office during last year’s protests. He is representing the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) and has insisted the protests were not a rejection of his leadership.

Another major contender is Balen Shah, a former rapper who stepped down as mayor of Kathmandu in January to challenge Oli in the closely watched Jhapa 5 constituency. Shah is running under the banner of the Rastriya Swatantra Party.

Shah avoided direct interaction with journalists on Thursday, appearing briefly in his trademark black sunglasses before moving through a crowd of reporters without comment. Some members of Nepal’s media fear this approach could continue if he were elected to national office.

However, many younger voters say Shah’s energy and outsider status represent the kind of leadership Nepal needs, seeing him as a symbol of political renewal.

Meanwhile, Gagan Thapa of the Nepali Congress said the country’s youth are increasingly frustrated with what he described as “unholy alliances” and poor governance in previous coalition governments. He said his party is paying close attention to the demands of younger voters.

Not everyone is convinced that the election will bring meaningful change. Rakshya Bam, a prominent Gen Z activist involved in last year’s movement, expressed skepticism.

“They want to sell the name of Gen Z and come into power so they are using the term Gen Z movement,” she said. “I don’t have much expectations from the elections.”

Sir Keir Starmer has delivered a defiant message to Labour MPs, insisting he will not step aside despite growing political pressure, as he framed the challenge from Reform UK as an existential battle for both his party and the country.

Addressing colleagues, the prime minister acknowledged that opposition to his leadership is not new, saying he has faced critics throughout his political journey and continues to do so now. He argued that many of those attacking him are fundamentally opposed to a Labour government in any form, and particularly to one that seeks to deliver lasting change.

“I have had my detractors every step along the way, and I’ve got them now,” Starmer told MPs. “Detractors that don’t want a Labour government at all, and certainly not one to succeed.”

However, he made clear that resignation is not an option, stressing that he feels a deep responsibility to honour the mandate given to him by the electorate. Starmer said walking away would betray voters and risk destabilising the country at a critical moment, drawing a contrast with previous political upheavals that, in his view, led to uncertainty and disorder.

“But I’ll tell you this,” he said. “After having fought so hard for the chance to change our country, I’m not prepared to walk away from my mandate and my responsibility to my country, or to plunge us into chaos, as others have done.”

The Labour leader described the rise of Reform UK as the most serious political challenge of his career, characterising it in dramatic terms as a defining struggle for the future direction of Britain. He warned that the contest is not just about party politics, but about the values that underpin the country.

He labelled the confrontation with Reform UK as “the fight of our lives, the fight of our times,” urging MPs to recognise the scale of what is at stake and to remain united in the face of growing pressure.

Starmer concluded his remarks with a highly personal and emotional pledge, underlining his commitment to continue leading and fighting for what he believes in. He said his resolve would not waver and called on Labour MPs to see the battle as a shared one, rooted in protecting the country’s future.

“I’ll tell you this, as long as I have breath in my body, I’ll be in that fight, on behalf of the country that I love and I believe in, against those that want to tear it up,” he said.

“That is my fight, that is all of our fight, and we’re in this together.”

Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnavirakul has declared victory in the country’s general election, as early results show his ruling conservative Bhumjaithai party emerging clearly ahead of its rivals in a result that has surprised many observers.

Speaking after the release of preliminary vote counts, Anutin said the outcome belonged to “all Thais, no matter whether you voted for us or not,” striking a conciliatory tone as his party outperformed expectations. Opinion polls ahead of the election had widely suggested a strong showing for the reformist People’s Party, but the early figures have instead placed the conservatives firmly in front.

With nearly 90% of ballots counted, Bhumjaithai is projected to win 194 seats in the 500-seat parliament in Bangkok, putting it well ahead of the People’s Party, which is forecast to secure 115 seats. While no single party is expected to gain an outright majority, the scale of Bhumjaithai’s lead places Anutin in a strong position as coalition negotiations begin.

People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut appeared to acknowledge the outcome, saying he was prepared to serve in opposition should Anutin succeed in forming a government. His comments signalled an acceptance of the result and a willingness to contribute constructively to Thailand’s political future from outside power.

The election was held after a period of prolonged political instability, during which several coalition governments collapsed and the country saw three prime ministers in as many years. Against that backdrop, the apparent return of Anutin and his party offers the prospect of greater continuity and a clearer path forward for governance.

Thai elections are often difficult to predict, and this contest proved no exception. The result represents a significant disappointment for the People’s Party, which had hoped to build on its strong performance three years ago. Expectations of an “orange wave” driven by young, idealistic candidates did not materialise in the way many supporters had anticipated.

Instead, voters appeared to favour Anutin’s pragmatic conservative platform, pushing the reformist movement into second place. The People’s Party, which won the most seats in the 2023 election but was ultimately blocked from taking power, will now remain in opposition, where it is expected to continue advocating for reform within the parliamentary system.

Importantly, the outcome has eased fears of a potential political crisis. Had the reformists won again and once more been prevented from forming a government, tensions could have escalated sharply. By contrast, the current result provides a clearer and more straightforward transition toward coalition talks and government formation