Voters faced difficult choice: PM Lee

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says Singaporeans faced a difficult choice between Dr Tony Tan and Dr Tan Cheng Bock.

This explains why the winning margin is so narrow, and why the winner only gained slightly more than one-third of the total votes.

In a statement released soon after results of the Presidential Election were announced, PM Lee said, "This was an intensely fought election, and the result was very close. Dr Tony Tan and Dr Tan Cheng Bock (who had the next highest number of votes) both conveyed strong unifying messages, and declared their intention to work closely with the government.

"Both have long records of public service - Dr Tony Tan in many roles in Government, and Dr Tan Cheng Bock as a highly respected backbench MP. It is reassuring that Singaporean voters recognised and valued their strengths, as well as their inclusive approach," he added.

PM Lee shared that he called Dr Tony Tan to congratulate him on his election, and assured him of his government's full cooperation. He also called Dr Tan Cheng Bock to thank him and his supporters for having fought an effective and dignified campaign.

He added that with the election over, it was time for Singaporeans to come together again, to tackle the challenges that Singapore faces, and take the nation forward.

Former deputy prime minister Dr Tony Tan was elected as Singapore's seventh President in Saturday's Presidential polls after a vote recount.

With 35.19 per cent of the popular vote, his win comes narrowly ahead of second-favourite candidate Dr Tan Cheng Bock, who trailed by just 7,269 votes, a difference of just 0.34 per cent.

In third place was Tan Jee Say, who received 529,732 votes, equivalent to 25.04 percent of the total, while coming in last was Tan Kin Lian with 103,931 votes, about 5 percent.

Spoilt votes numbered 37,826, a sizeable 1.75 per cent. Over 2.1 million Singaporeans went to the polls on Saturday.