SINGAPORE: Presidential frontrunner Tharman Shanmugaratnam has said that he is “truly humbled by the strong endorsement” Singaporeans have given him after the elections department announced he has garnered 70 per cent of votes in a sample count.

His rivals Ng Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian received 16 per cent and 14 per cent of votes, respectively. The full vote count will be announced in the coming hours.

Speaking at Taman Jurong Food Centre, the former Senior Minister thanked Mr Ng and Mr Tan for their “full effort” and for making the race a “worthy contest”.

He said, “I believe that the vote for me and what I stand for is a vote of confidence in Singapore. It’s a vote of optimism for a future in which we can progress together and support each other Singaporeans.”

Mr Tharman added: “I will honour the trust that Singaporeans have placed in me and respect all Singaporeans including those who did not vote for me.”

Calling the large turnout of supporters at his old stomping grounds in Taman Jurong “organic,” the veteran politician said: “People heard on the news that I was going to be conducting the doorstop here so they came down. I’ve been a long time in Jurong and it is an emotional place.”