FED:Election count to resume today

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-2010
FED:Election count to resume today

Counting resumes today in the deadlocked federal election .. with political observers
tipping it could take a week before the result is known.

Thousands of postal votes still need to be counted .. while independent MPs are yet
to decide whether to side with Labor or the coalition.

Six seats remain in doubt .. with the Electoral Commission calling 70 seats each for
Labor and the coalition .. three to independents and one to the Greens.

Prime Minister JULIA GILLARD says Labor has a mandate to govern because the party's
won the popular vote.

But Opposition Leader TONY ABBOTT says a minority Labor government would be chronically
divided and dysfunctional.

Both leaders have spoken to the three independents .. TONY WINDSOR .. ROB OAKESHOTT
and BOB KATTER .. who are vying to reach a consensus before they begin negotiations with
the major parties.

They might meet face-to-face today in Canberra after an overnight phone hook-up.

Independent ANDREW WILKIE could join them on the crossbenches as a key player if he
clinches Denison in Tasmania.

AAP RTV so/sb/jen/psm/

KEYWORD: POLL10 (CANBERRA)

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