New Zealand's early vote count shows tight race between National and Labour

The short version

• Preliminary results after polls closed show the governing National Party leading Labour, 31.19 percent to 28.35 percent.[Al Jazeera]
• The Electoral Commission says the centrist Opportunity Party will clear the 5 percent threshold to enter parliament.[Al Jazeera]
• Almost 1.7 million of 3.8 million eligible voters had cast ballots early by Thursday, according to the electoral commission.[Deutsche Welle]
• Final results, including overseas ballots, are expected November 27, so the early count remains preliminary.[Al Jazeera · Deutsche Welle]

Key facts

• Preliminary results put the National Party at 31.19 percent and Labour at 28.35 percent.[Al Jazeera]
• The Electoral Commission said the Opportunity Party will meet the 5 percent threshold to enter parliament.[Al Jazeera]
• Almost 1.7 million of 3.8 million eligible voters had cast ballots early by Thursday.[Deutsche Welle]
• Final results, including overseas ballots, are expected on November 27.[Al Jazeera · Deutsche Welle]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• New Zealanders end vote on final day of tight electionsDeutsche Welle
• Governing party ahead in early results of New Zealand’s knife-edge voteAl Jazeera
• New Zealand braces for knife-edge election: What you need to knowAl Jazeera
• New Zealanders head to polls on final day of votingAl Jazeera
• New Zealand election too close to call with half the votes countedDeutsche Welle
• New Zealand election too close to call with over 95% of votes countedDeutsche Welle
• New Zealand faces weeks of uncertainty with election ‘too close to call’The Guardian - World
• No clear winner after tight New Zealand general electionBBC News - Top Stories
• Conservative bloc takes a slim lead in New Zealand election that’s still too close to callAssociated Press
• Can New Zealand's new government win over disillusioned voters?BBC News - Top Stories
• New Zealanders won't know for weeks who won the election as neither side secures clear victoryABC News - International
• New Zealand election produces no clear winner as smaller parties make record gainsFrance 24
• New Zealanders won’t know for weeks who won the election as neither side secures clear victoryAssociated Press
• No clear winner in New Zealand election, as leaders prepare for weeks of talksNPR - World