Photos: Reuters
The votes have been cast. Millions of Americans stood in lengthy queues to exercise their democratic right, while thousands of US expatriates, including those in the UAE, made their voices heard through mailed and online ballots. Now, the nation waits. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump secured early victories on Election Night, November 5, as the initial key polls closed in what has been one of the most closely contested and unpredictable elections in US history. The final result, which could be determined overnight but might take several days, will have profound implications, potentially making Harris the first woman to hold the world's most powerful position or delivering a historic comeback for Trump and his right-wing 'America First' platform. Here's an update on what we know so far:
6.20am: Bomb threats, 'talks about massive cheating'As polls closed, anticipated challenges began to surface. In a stark reminder of the heightened tension—and fears of outright violence—surrounding the election, officials reported 32 bomb threats called into polling locations across Georgia. At five stations, the threats necessitated a temporary suspension of voting while police investigated for explosives, according to the Fulton County police chief. The FBI and local authorities indicated that the threats appeared to originate from Russia, which Washington accuses of attempting to interfere in the election.
6.15am: No surprise in initial resultsThe early results did not reveal any unexpected outcomes. Former Republican president Trump secured victories in his strongholds of Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia, while Democratic vice president Harris won in more liberal Vermont. As the first results came in, Trump declared, 'We're going to have a big victory tonight.' The Harris campaign reported a robust turnout in the Democratic stronghold of Philadelphia, particularly among Puerto Ricans, who were disparaged by a comedian at a Trump rally the previous week. If elected, Harris, 60, would become the second Black and the first person of South Asian descent to serve as president. She entered the race late and dramatically when Biden withdrew in July, while Trump, who has been impeached twice during his presidency, has since survived two assassination attempts and a criminal conviction.
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