Singapore, September 02 (QNA) - The Elections Committee in Singapore has announced the victory of Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the former Deputy Prime Minister, in the presidential elections held on Friday, making him the ninth president of the country.

The committee stated that Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a 66-year-old economic expert, secured 70.4 percent of the voters' support.

Tharman Shanmugaratnam will assume the position of President in Singapore, a largely honorary role, succeeding President Halimah Yacob, whose term officially ends on Sep. 13, 2023.

"I believe the vote for me and what I stood for is a vote of confidence in Singapore itself, a vote of optimism in how we can progress together and support each other as Singaporeans," Tharman said in a speech before the announcement of the results. (QNA)