The 538-membet Electoral College sealed Republican Donald Trump’s victory on Monday, formalising his Nov. 8 election and making him officially the 45th elected U.S. President.
The Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the U.S. reports that Trump took to his twitter handle to break the news of his victory to his supporters.
“We did it! Thank you to all of my great supporters, we just officially won the election (despite all of the distorted and inaccurate media),” Trump said.
“Today marks a historic electoral landslide victory in our nation’s democracy.
“I thank the American people for their overwhelming vote to elect me as their next President of the United States.
“This election represents a movement that millions of hard working men and women all across the country stood behind and made possible.
“With this historic step we can look forward to the bright future ahead.
“I will work hard to unite our country and be the President of all Americans,” Trump also said in a statement.
Vice President-elect Mike Pence also hailed Trump on Twitter as the results came in.
“Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump; officially elected President of the U.S. today by the Electoral College!”
Unofficial reports said Trump received 304 electoral votes to Hillary Clinton’s 224, with six electors said to have voted for other candidates, costing Trump two votes and Clinton four.
However, Hawaii’s electors are reportedly still set to meet later on Monday, with the state’s four votes expected to go to Hillary Clinton, who won the popular votes by almost three million.
NAN reports that the result will be officially announced on Jan. 6, 2017 in a special joint session of Congress.
Vice President Joe Biden, will open the electoral votes before a joint session of the new Congress, where they will be counted and certified.
NAN reports that in the U.S., the Vice President is the President of the Senate.
The Electoral College met in all the 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. on Monday.
NAN reports that afterwards, the president-elect will be communicated to officially to arrive at the Capitol Hill on Jan. 20 for his inauguration.
Under U.S. law, electors must formally vote for the president and vice-president before they can lead the country.
NAN recalls that Trump’s victory in various states in the Nov. 8 election put him in line to get 306 of the 538 electoral college votes as against Clinton’s 232, according to projections.
NAN also reports that Clinton won the popular vote by almost three million votes.(NAN)