BARACK OBAMA:275

MITT ROMNEY:203
(270 need to form Government)

President Barack Obama has been re-elected to a second term, defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

With results in from most states, America’s first black president has secured the 270 votes in the electoral college needed to win the race.

Mr Obama prevailed despite lingering dissatisfaction with the economy and a well-funded challenge by Mr Romney.

Many states are still reporting results, and Mr Obama’s margin of victory was not yet certain.

The president won solid Democratic states and a number of swing states. His narrow victory in Ohio, a critical Mid-Western swing state, sealed the victory.

Mr Romney won North Carolina and Indiana, two states Mr Obama won in 2008, as well as the solid Republican states. But he was unable to win in Ohio or other states needed to breach the 270 threshold.

Several swing states, including Florida and Virginia, have yet to report results.