Readers of EDP24 and EveningNews24 yesterday voted overwhemingly for Barack Obama to become President of the United States of America - and overnight the US followed suit.

In our online poll on this website yesterday 89 per cent of you voted in favour of Democrat Barack Obama, ahead of Republican Mitt Romney.

And that's exactly how it turned out with Romney this morning conceding defeat in the race for the White House, saying: 'I have just called President Obama to congratulate him on his victory.'

The Democrat secured a second term in the White House after wins in crucial swing states following one of the closest run election races in history.

Obama thanked supporters on Twitter, saying: 'We're all in this together. That's how we campaigned.'

His rival pushed the result to the wire, taking Indiana from his rival and appearing to lead in the popular vote.

But key battlegrounds, including Ohio and New Hampshire, were called for President Obama taking him over the 270 electoral college barrier needed for victory, according to media projections.

Obama today told ecstatic supporters the 'best is yet to come' in a victory speech in his home city of Chicago.

Flanked by wife Michelle and daughters Malia And Sasha, the jubilant Democrat congratulated opponent Mitt Romney on a 'hard fought campaign' and revealed he would work with the former Massachusetts governor to take the country forward.

The president told the crowd, who chanted 'four more years' as he arrived on stage, that they had 'lifted me up the whole way and I will always be grateful'.

And he heaped praise on his family, revealing he had never loved his wife Michelle more and commending his 'smart, beautiful' daughters.

President Obama vowed to revive America's economy but warned 'progress will come in fits and starts'.

Romney earlier told his supporters he and running mate Paul Ryan had 'given our all' to the campaign and said he wished his Democrat opponent well.

The businessman urged his supporters to pray for the re-elected president as he returns to the White House against a backdrop of economic gloom.

He added: 'I so wish that I had been able to fulfil your hopes to lead the country in a different direction but the nation chose another leader and so I join with you to earnestly pray for him and for this great nation.'