  We carry out the direct minimization of the energy functional proposed by
Mauri, Galli and Car to derive the correct self-consistent ground state with
fractional occupation numbers for a system degenerating at the Fermi level. As
a consequence, this approach enables us to determine the electronic structure
of metallic systems to a high degree of accuracy without the aid of level
broadening of the Fermi-distribution function. The efficiency of the method is
illustrated by calculating the ground-state energy of C$_2$ and Si$_2$
molecules and the W(110) surface to which a tungsten adatom is adsorbed.
