(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Leader of the Nidaa Tounes Party Beji Caid Essebsi has won Tunisia's presidential elections, the Higher Electoral Commission announced here on Monday.

The veteran politician received 55.68 percent of the valid votes in the run-off held on Sunday, head of the Commission Shafiq Sarsar said in a press conference.

Essebsi defeated incumbent Moncef Marzouki who got 44.32 percent, according to the official results.

This is the first free presidential race held in the North African country since the Jasmine Revolution ousted Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali on 14 January 2011.

According to Sarsar, over three million cast their votes yesterday. He noted that no major infringements were recorded in the vote.

Sarsar noted that Tunisia had realized biggest victory as it achieved the final step in a transition to democracy. It ended all transitional stages and entered a permanent one.