As time progresses, the United States presidential race between Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris is proving to be fiercely competitive.
Donald Trump has thus far secured 266 Electoral College votes, while Kamala Harris has gained 213, according to The Washington Post.
The final verdict on who will claim victory in the battle for the White House—Trump or Harris—remains uncertain, leaving the outcome in suspense until the last moments before results are announced.
Besides Harris and Trump, the race features additional candidates, including the Green Party’s Jill Stein, the Libertarian Party’s Chase Oliver, and independent candidates Robert F Kennedy Jr (who withdrew but remains on ballots across most states) and Cornel West.
Although many exit polls previously favoured the Democratic candidate, preliminary results suggest a different trend.
Yet, the decisive role of seven "swing states," also known as “battleground states,” keeps the race unpredictable. These states, operating under the "winner-takes-all" rule, will likely play a decisive role in the presidential race.
Unlike states that traditionally support either Democrats or Republicans, these swing states often vary in their political leanings, backing Democrats in some elections and Republicans in others.
In most states, voting has concluded, and the nation now awaits the final count.
US election comprises 538 Electoral College votes across 50 states and Washington, DC. To secure the presidency, a candidate requires 270 votes.
Each state carries a specific number of Electoral College votes, all of which are awarded to the candidate winning that state under the "winner-takes-all" policy.
