New Zealand election first count ends with two main parties nearly deadlocked

WELLINGTON — New Zealand’s ruling centre-right National Party and main opposition ​Labour were nearly deadlocked in the popular vote after initial counting in the nationwide general election on Saturday.

Results from the Electoral Commission ‌show that with more than 95% of the ballots counted, both parties were polling just short of 30% of the popular vote, with just a few thousand votes separating the two.

A projection from New Zealand’s ​Electoral Commission showed the current three-party ruling coalition led by National would have a ​majority of just one seat, after an election dominated by a struggling economy ⁠and voter disillusionment with the two biggest contenders.

Both parties said it would take time for the final results to be known.

“It is heartening to see that ​on the numbers so far, National is once again the largest party in parliament, and we have a pathway to forming ⁠the next government,” Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told supporters in Auckland.

“But I have to tell you right now, it is too close to call.”

Labour leader Chris ​Hipkins delivered a similar message in Upper Hutt, a city northeast of the capital Wellington.

“Tonight, New Zealand has spoken. It may take us a little…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world