WASHINGTON (US) – Buoyed by the fact that his lead over President Donald Trump is growing in battleground states, Democrat candidate Joe Biden expressed confidence of winning. However, television channels desisted from declaring him the winner of the presidential race as officials continued to count ballots.
“The numbers tell us … it’s a clear and convincing story: We’re going to win this race,” he said late on Friday, adding that his running mate Kamala Harris was already consulting experts as they prepare for their stint at the White House.
People are waiting longer than any presidential vote since 2000 to know the winner as officials continue to count a record number of mail-in ballots.
As thousands of ballots are yet to be tabulated, it remains unclear when the winner will be declared.
Supporters of Biden danced on the streets of Philadelphia. On the other hand, armed backers of Trump in Phoenix and Detroit said the election was stolen in spite of the fact that there is no evidence to back it. Under the banner “Stop the Steal”, his supporters have planned a host of rallies on Saturday.
Although Biden’s address in his home state of Delaware was originally planned as a victory bash, he changed tack as there was no official declaration from television networks and other election forecasters.
Trump kept out of view in the White House on Friday as his rival’s lead increased in the four key states that determine the outcome of the election.
Biden leads by 4.1 million votes nationwide out of 147 million cast. He said the people had given him a mandate to tackle the pandemic, the sagging economy, climate change and systemic racism.
“They made it clear they want the country to come together, not continue to pull apart,” Biden said.
He would make an address to Americans on Saturday.
The president is still defiant and continues with his rhetoric of election fraud as his party is scrambling to raise $60 million to fund lawsuits challenging the results. However, some members of his camp said the legal efforts were disorganised and so far they have not been successful.
When counting entered its fifth day, Biden had a 253-to-214 lead in the Electoral College vote that determines who rules the US. Meanwhile, Democrats are miffed over television networks not announcing the winner.
In case he secures the 20 electoral votes in Pennsylvania, Biden would go beyond the 270 he needs to win the presidency. He would also be the winner if he prevails in two of the three key states.
As mail-in ballots are being counted, the Democrat has held on to narrow leads in Nevada and Arizona and on Friday, he overtook Trump in Pennsylvania and Georgia.
In Arizona, Biden was leading by 29,861 votes with 97% of the tally completed. In Nevada, he is ahead by 22,657 votes with 93% of the count complete.
In Georgia, he is ahead by a mere 4,289 votes with 99% tallying complete, while in Pennsylvania he leads by 27,130 votes with 96% of the tabulation complete.
Biden said his opponent’s demand to stop counting would not work.
“Your vote will be counted. I don’t care how hard people try to stop it. I will not let it happen,” Biden said.
Trump has not showed any sign of conceding and his campaign is going ahead with lawsuits that legal experts said were unlikely to change the outcome.
“Joe Biden should not wrongfully claim the office of the President. I could make that claim also. Legal proceedings are just now beginning!” he tweeted.
A Republican official said it was doubtful the lawsuits would give Trump a win.
In what is seen as a blow to the president, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has tested positive for novel coronavirus.
Meadows frequently appears in events sans a face mask and is the latest person in Trump’s circle to contract the virus.