A handful of votes make history in the NT

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A handful of votes make history in the NT

A landslide election victory to the Country ******** Party was declared just hours after ballots closed in the Northern Territory , but a few seats have come down to a handful of votes.

Any outstanding postal votes have till midday on Friday to be returned, before the declaration of seats is made on Monday, but NT electoral commissioner Kirsten Kelly said at least three seats have needed several recounts.

In the last few days, her team has had recounts in the seats of Barkly, Fannie Bay and Nightcliff, where the current leaders are fewer than 100 votes ahead.

After a recount on Thursday, the Greens look likely to pick up their first seat ever in Territory parliament, with preferences in the electorate of Nightcliff flowing from the Country ******** Party to the Greens.

Greens candidate Kat McNamara pulled off a 20 per cent swing against former Chief Minister Natasha Fyles, who has held the seat since 2012.

“It is the first time the NT Electoral Commission has done a three candidates preferred (count),” Ms Kelly said.

“When there are more candidates and not a lot of votes, you do see preferences come into play.”

Following polling day, neighbouring electorate Fannie Bay looked likely to go to a Greens candidate, Suki Dorras-Walker, however, redistribution of preferences has Country ******** Party candidate Laurie Zio ahead by 37 votes.

In the bush seat of Barkly, which encompasses Tennant Creek, Labor has fallen short of claiming it from incumbent member Steve Edgington by 109 votes.

The results as they stand reduce Labor to just four seats from their previous 13. The Country ******** Party will hold a thumping majority with 17 seats and the remaining four made up by independents and one Green.

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