Britain's beleaguered election officials face more criticism after it emerged eligible voters living in New Zealand missed out on casting their ballot.

The Independent's Andrew Grice offers his take on the shortcomings of the first-past-the-post electoral system.

They came in their millions hoping to vote in the most closely fought general election in decades - but many weren't able to vote.

Crowds of British voters turned away from polling stations have staged sit-ins and tried to block officials from taking ballot boxes.

As UK polling booths closed, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg could do no more than anxiously await the results.

Turnout in the UK general election is expected to be higher than the 61 per cent in 2005, suggesting keen interest in the campaign.

Progressive MP Jim Anderton is expected to make an announcement about his political future on Sunday.

Calls by senior Labour figures for people to vote tactically against the Conservative Party in the election were condemned as "desperate".

Youssou N'Dour, the Senegalese musician once described by Rolling Stone magazine as the most famous living African singer, has taken his first steps into politics.

Thailand's Cabinet is due to hold an emergency meeting in the face of unrelenting anti-government street protests.

David Cameron has increased his party's lead to 10 points, making an outright Conservative victory this week possible, a poll suggests.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown went for broke in the final TV debate on the economy in the UK today.

Samoa's prime minister says the Pacific Islands Forum HQ doesn't belong in Suva any more.

Australia has dumped plans for a greenhouse emissions trading scheme.