Australian Election Too Close to Call

Australian Prime Minsiter Julia Gillard announced Saturday night that the election has been too close to call, and it will take a number of days to determine the result.

Vote counting continued until 2 a.m. local time, but most likely, the outcome of the election is a hung parliament, where no side of political party holds a majority over 76 seats. CRI's Australia correspondent Chen Feng has more.

Among the 150 seats in the House of Representatives, analysis now tips the Coalition to have 73 seats, with Labor on 72, four independents, and one Green. No major party will get the majority to form a government on its own.

Though facing a big swing against Labor, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard insists the election is still too close to call. She gave a low key speech at the Melbourne Convention Center late Saturday night.

"Obviously it's too close to call. It will take a number of days. We know every vote is important. Every vote must be counted, and we will see that in the days ahead of us. [We] will continue to lead the government and provide stable government until the outcome of the election is clearly known."

Meanwhile, opposition leader Tony Abbot was cheered to the podium at Sydney's Four Seasons hotel, where the Liberal faithful gathered to celebrate the Coaltion's triumph. The opposition leader vowed to respect the caretaker conventions which will be in play until the final results are known, as well as the will of the Australian people.

"This is no time for premature triumphalism. There should be an appreciation that this has been a great night for the Australian people. The Coalition stands ready to govern, and Labor has lost all legitimacy. More Australians have voted for the Coalition parties than for Labor and I'm calling for measured reflection at the magnitude of the task ahead."

Both leaders have congratulated the four elected independent candidates and one elected Green candidate, who will now hold the key to form a coalition government, which would be the first in Australia since 1940.

For CRI, this is Chen Feng in Melbourne, Australia.