Veteran Politician Wins Singapore Presidential Election

Posted August 27th, 2011 at 5:45 pm (UTC-5)
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Singapore's former Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan has won the presidential election after a recount of the vote gave him a razor-thin margin.

Election officials said Sunday that Tony Tan won by just over 7,000 votes.

Officials ordered the recount after Saturday's vote because there was less than a two percentage point difference between Tony Tan and his top challenger, medical doctor Tan Cheng Bock.

The election was seen as a referendum on the ruling People's Action Party – PAP-, which has led the city-state since 1959.

Tony Tan was backed by most of the political establishment, while Tan Cheng Bock is a former ruling party lawmaker who openly courted the opposition.

Singapore's presidency is largely a ceremonial position, but Saturday's election attracted four candidates.

Current President S.R. Nathan won two 6-year terms unopposed.