United States President Barak Obama has been re-elected, after picking 275 electoral college votes to his opponent, Mitt Romney’s 203.
In one of America’s most keenly contested presidential elections, the Democratic president picked key states and completed the victory run with Ohio.
No Republican presidential candidate has ever won election without Ohio.
Romney, however, picked the popular vote with 49.8% while Obama has 48.9%.
Supporters will see his victory as a vindication of the auto-bailout, the stimulus and – of course – his healthcare proposals, says the BBC.
Interestingly, Romney’s running mate, Paul Ryan, won re-election to the US House of Representatives.
Immediately after his re-election, Obama tweeted, “This happened because of you. Thank you.”
The 2012 campaign was one of the most expensive, with over $2 billion sunk into the effort by both sides.
Obama’s ancestral village in Kenya, Kogelo, erupted in street dancing after his victory was declared.
Democrats retained control of the US Senate.
Obama has left his house and is heading for his convention centre in Chicago to give an acceptance speech while Romney is expected to give a a concession speech.
More details later.