Amid pouring of congratulatory messages, Singapore's President-elect Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Saturday said he is surprised by such a high degree of endorsement and that he is very serious about wanting to fulfil the mandate given by the people.

Singapore-born Indian-origin candidate in a predominantly Chinese multi-racial Singapore, 66-year-old Tharman won the presidential election with a massive vote share of 70.4 per cent in the early hours of Saturday. This is the first contested presidential election since 2011.

Speaking to journalists at his first doorstop interview since the official result was declared, Tharman said, he did not expect such a high degree of endorsement. Describing the result as a reflection of remarkable unity of Singaporeans, the economist-turned-politician said he thinks Singaporeans have been very sensible in the way they voted.