Jose Raul Mulino, the stand-in candidate for disqualified former President Ricardo Martinelli, was declared Panama's president-elect after elections Sunday, Paralel.Az reports citing Deutsche Welle.

Panama's electoral authority announced Mulino's win, after he gathered 34.4% of the votes, with over 85% of the votes counted.

"I promise to the country at this time to put together, to establish, a government of unity as soon as possible," Mulino said after electoral officials called him to confirm he had won the presidency.

Eight candidates were competing to replace the center-left President Laurentino Cortizo, who by law is limited to one consecutive term.

Mulino only officially joined the race on Friday after his former running mate was forced to drop out over a money laundering conviction.