A leftist alliance between Nepal’s former Maoist rebels and moderate communists appeared to be heading for a victory in elections aimed at completing a transition to democracy after the abolition of the monarchy and end to civil war.

Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana emphasised he believed it was very unlikely martial law would be declared, but said the president was worried about threatened "massive" protests by the left.

India's communists appeared set to stage a comeback in Kerala state, as they took winning leads in 87 of the 140 constituencies in the assembly elections.