JUST IN: Results of sample count, Tharman 70%

SINGAPORE: Results of the Presidential Election’s sample count have just come in.

Ng Kok Song 16%
Tharman Shanmugaratnam 70%
Tan Kin Lian 14%

The sample count is done at the start of the counting process.

At the counting centre, a counting assistant will pick up a random bundle of 100 ballot papers from the votes cast at a polling station.

There are 1,264 local polling stations for this election.

This is done in front of the candidates and counting agents present.

The votes for each candidate are then added up. The tally from each polling station is given a weighting to account for differences in the number of votes cast at each polling station.

This means the same random bundle of 100 votes is given more weight if it comes from a polling station where more people voted.

The sample count takes into account only valid votes, so spoilt votes are not considered part of the percentages.

Polls closed at 8 p.m.

This story will be updated.