International Desk: Tharman Shanmugaratnam, an Indian-origin Singaporean economist, has won the country’s presidential election. Tharman is the former leader of Singapore’s political party People’s Action Party (PAP). Voting was held in Singapore’s presidential election on Friday (01 September). In the country’s first contested presidential election since 2011, Tharman Shanmugaratnam defeated two contenders of Chinese origin.
Singapore’s Election Commission said on Friday night that 66-year-old politician and economist Tharman Shanmugaratnam won with 70.4 percent of votes counted. Tharman will take over as Singapore’s ninth president.
Returning officer Tan Meng Dui said, I declare Tharman Shanmugaratnam the winner of the Singapore presidency. Tharman will replace the current President of Singapore, Halimah Yakub.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong congratulated Tharman Shanmugaratm for winning the presidential election.
Lee Hsien Loong said, “Singaporeans have elected Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam as our next President. As head of state he will represent us at home and abroad and exercise custodial powers including reserve and key appointments. News: Al Jazeera
