DHAKA: Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump have both taken early leads in their respective contests for the US presidential nomination.

Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia were among the states both candidates won. Trump was defeated by Ted Cruz in Texas and Oklahoma.

Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders has won his home state of Vermont, reports the BBC.

Super Tuesday sees 11 states voting on the biggest single day ahead of the 8 November presidential election.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and real estate mogul Donald Trump entered Super Tuesday as the favourites to win the vast majority of states for their respective parties.

Hillary has also taken Arkansas and Texas, and Trump has won Massachusetts.

Early exit polls show Trump and Ohio Governor John Kasich leading the Republican field in Vermont.

Hillary Clinton and Sanders are neck and neck for the Democrats in the north-eastern state of Massachusetts.

Results from the remaining states are expected in the coming hours.

Trump has stunned the Republican establishment to become the party's front-runner. Despite his controversial policies on immigration, the former reality TV star has been consistently polling well above his rivals - Ted Cruz, Rubio, Kasich and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson.

Both Senators Cruz and Rubio have ramped up their anti-Trump rhetoric over the past week, in a bid to halt his commanding lead in the race. The outcome of Super Tuesday will be critical for both candidates to remain the race.

BDST:  0845 HRS, MAR 02, 2016
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