SINGAPORE: Singapore’s former deputy prime minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam has been elected as president of the country, local media reported on Friday.
This was Singapore’s first contested vote for the ceremonial post in more than a decade.
The Elections Department declared economist Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, as the winner of the contest after securing 70.4 percent of ballots cast.
“I declare Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam as the candidate duly elected as the president of Singapore,” election returning officer Tan Meng Dui said.
Shanmugaratnam to replace President Halimah Yacob
Mr Shanmugaratnam will replace incumbent President Halimah Yacob who was elected unopposed for her six-year term in 2017.
The President elect in his speech said that the election was a vote of confidence in Singapore. He added that it is a vote of optimism and for the bright future of Singapore.
The president of Singapore oversees the country’s financial reserves and has the authority to veto certain measures of the government.
Experts believe that Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s victory is a boost for the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).
Mr Shanmugaratnam, has also served as the finance minister of Singapore and was a top leader of PAP before resigning from his position to contest for the presidency.
