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US Presidential Elections: The United States heads to the polls today to elect its next President. Former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump faces a close race against Democratic candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris.

Due to the country’s multiple time zones, polling will begin in the US today between 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm Indian Standard Time (IST). Most polling stations are expected to close between 5:30 am and 9:30 am IST tomorrow. While initial results will emerge as polling stations close, it may take several days to determine the winner.

Many Americans may have already cast their ballots via postal voting. Unlike in some countries, the US does not elect its President by popular vote; instead, it uses an indirect system called the Electoral College. A candidate needs an absolute majority of 270 or more of the 538 electoral votes to secure the presidency.

On January 6 next year, a joint session of Congress will officially count the electoral votes. If a candidate has reached 270 electoral votes, they will be declared the President-elect, even if they did not win the popular vote. The new President’s four-year term will begin with their inauguration on January 20.