Sonia Gandhi [Images] was on Saturday formally re-elected as Congress president with the party's Central Election Authority announcing her unopposed election.

CEA chairperson Oscar Fernandes made the formal announcement in the presence of Gandhi and several senior leaders, Union ministers and party workers amid jubilant scenes at the Congress headquarters.

Fernandes presented a certificate to Gandhi on her election.

"I declare Sonia Gandhi duly elected unopposed president of the Indian National Congress," he said.

With 100 nominations proposing Gandhi's name for the top party post, the election was a mere formality.

Gandhi had replaced Sitaram Kersari as party president in 1998.

Photograph: Sondeep Shankar/ Saab Press