Singapore's Former Indian-Origin Minister Wins Presidential Election

The Elections Department declared the 66-year-old economist as the winner over two rival candidates after securing 70.4 percent of votes cast.

Former Singapore deputy prime minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam was elected president Friday, according to official results, in the city-state's first contested vote for the largely ceremonial position in more than a decade.

The Elections Department declared the 66-year-old economist as the winner over two rival candidates after securing 70.4 percent of ballots cast.

"I declare Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam as the candidate duly elected as the president of Singapore," said election returning officer Tan Meng Dui.