Washington, 6 August 2024 (dpa/MIA) - US Vice President Kamala Harris has officially secured the necessary majority of delegate votes to be the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, the party said on Monday.

Harris received 99% of the approximately 4,500 delegate votes cast, the Democratic Party announced.

Harris achieved a majority shortly after voting opened on Friday, but voting continued until Monday evening.

The announcement was not unexpected as no other candidate had thrown their hat into the Democratic race ring. Harris, whose nomination still needs to be officially certified at the party's convention set to begin on August 19, was now set to face former US president Donald Trump, the Republican Party's nominee.

"Vice President Harris has historic momentum at her back as we embark on the final steps in officially certifying her as our Party’s nominee," Democratic National Convention Committee chair Minyon Moore and Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison said in a joint statement.

"Soon, it will be time to come together in Chicago, where we will celebrate together and make clear to the American people that the Democratic Party is the party of freedom, of democracy, of rights, and of the people."

US President Joe Biden, 81, endorsed Harris after announcing in July he would step down from the race following weeks of harsh media coverage over his age and questions about his ability to continue to do the job.

Harris, the daughter of an Indian mother and Jamaican father, would be the first female US president if elected.

MIA file photo