Gore 0.2% ahead in national poll

Latest nationwide election returns in the race for president at 6pm GMT with 98 per cent of the nation's precincts reporting. Al Gore, 48,592,257, 48.3 per cent. George W Bush, 48,314,142, 48 per cent. Ralph Nader, Green 2,643,426, 2.6 per cent. Pat Buchanan, Reform 444,034, zero per cent.

Latest nationwide election returns in the race for president at 6pm GMT with 98 per cent of the nation's precincts reporting. Al Gore, 48,592,257, 48.3 per cent. George W Bush, 48,314,142, 48 per cent. Ralph Nader, Green 2,643,426, 2.6 per cent. Pat Buchanan, Reform 444,034, zero per cent.

Gore is leading Bush on the popular vote by 278,115 or about 0.2 per cent.

Bush has won 29 states for 246 electoral votes. Gore has won 18 states plus the District of Columbia for 260.