Republican candidate Donald Trump has gained the edge over Hillary Clinton in the race for the key swing states that will decide the White House election, the BBC has reported.

The ABC projects he has won Florida, Ohio and North Carolina, while Democratic nominee Mrs Clinton took Virginia. Pennsylvania is too close to call.

Mr Trump is also ahead in Michigan, which has not voted for a Republican White House candidate since 1988.

Mr Trump’s win in Ohio is a big boost to him, as no Republican has ever taken the White House without winning the Midwestern bellwether.

The ABC newswire projects that as expected, he has also been victorious in the Republican strongholds of Utah, Alabama, Kentucky, South Carolina, Nebraska, Indiana, West Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Texas.

Mr Trump is forecast to more states. Russians Media covering the elections say the country is hoping for President Trump.

Mr Trump, a populist political newcomer, provoked controversy on the campaign trail for comments about women, Muslims and a plan to build a wall along the US-Mexican border.

Mrs Clinton saw her campaign dogged by FBI investigations into whether she abused state secrets by operating a private email server during her time as US secretary of state.

Last Sunday, the law enforcement bureau cleared her once again of any criminality.

Whoever finally wins will face a resurging Russia, conflicts in the Middle East. In South Sudan, the next administration will face the implementation of the peace agreement.