Tharman Shanmugaratnam is set to become Singapore’s 9th President, having clinched a decisive 70.4% of the votes.
The official results, disclosed shortly after midnight on Saturday (Sep 2), placed Ng Kok Song as the runner-up, garnering 15.72% of the votes. Tan Kin Lian trailed in third with 13.88%.
Out of the total votes, 50,152 were deemed invalid, making up 1.98% of the overall count.
Preliminary counts had already hinted at this outcome, showing the three contenders at 70%, 16%, and 14% respectively.
Associate Professor Eugene Tan of Singapore Management University’s School of Law commented on the results during a CNA TV special on the Presidential Election. He noted that the substantial support for Mr. Tharman indicated that voters had looked beyond political affiliations. “Although this isn’t a political race, the overwhelming support for Mr. Tharman signifies a unifying moment for Singaporeans,” he remarked.
The vote tallying commenced post the 8 pm closure of polling stations. It’s estimated that over 2.7 million Singaporeans participated in this election, marking the first contested Presidential Election since 2011.
Upon hearing the preliminary results, an appreciative Mr. Tharman addressed the media. “I am genuinely touched by the profound endorsement from my fellow Singaporeans,” he expressed. “This vote not only reflects trust in my vision but also embodies hope and optimism for a united future where we, as Singaporeans, can advance collectively and uplift one another.”
