Tharman Shanmugaratnam was born in Singapore and has vast experience.
More than 2.7 million Singaporeans are voting to elect the country's ninth President today. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, an Indian-origin candidate, is among the contenders for the top post.
Here are 5 points on him:
- The 66-year-old is an economist. He was born in Singapore. He formally launched his presidential campaign last month with a pledge to evolve the country's culture to keep it a "shining spot" in the world.
- Mr Shanmugaratnam joined politics in 2001. He has served in the public sector and ministerial positions with Singapore's ruling People's Action Party (PAP) for over two decades.
- He also has experience in the government and with the city-state's foreign reserves, estimated to be over Singapore dollars 2 trillion.
- Mr Shanmugaratnam served as Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister between 2011-2019, but resigned in July from public and political posts to run for the presidency.
- He is married to Jane Yumiko Ittogi and has four children.
