In a statement, former President George W Bush said he and his wife, Laura, “join our fellow citizens in praying for the success of our new leaders at all levels of government”.

Some top former Republican officials, including Bush’s vice president, Dick Cheney, had endorsed Harris. But Bush remained neutral.

Bush also thanked “President Biden and Vice President Harris for their service to our country”.

“The strong turnout in this election is a sign of the health of our republic and the strength of our democratic institutions,” said Bush, who called the polls a “free, fair, safe, and secure election”.

(with inputs from The Associated Press)