Australia's PM Julia Gillard has said the result of the general election is "too close to call".
She told supporters in Melbourne it could be days before the result was known and that independents could play a part in the next administration.
The BBC's Phil Mercer, in Sydney, says there is a strong possibility of the first hung parliament since 1940.
Projections by ABC indicate neither of the two main rivals will win the 76 seats needed for outright victory.
Ms Gillard, the Labor leader, is battling Tony Abbott of the conservative opposition coalition to become PM.
The election comes two months after Ms Gillard ousted Kevin Rudd in a controversial leadership challenge.
Voting is compulsory in Australia, with 14 million registered voters.
Marginal seats
Unofficial counts by ABC have given Ms Gillard's Labor and Tony Abbott's coalition just over 70 seats each.
Ms Gillard quoted the words of former US President Bill Clinton when saying "the people have spoken but it's going to take some time to determine exactly what they have said".
"Obviously this is too close to call, there are many seats where the result is undecided and where it will take a number of days to determine the result.
"What we know is there will be a number of independents in the House of Representatives playing a role as the next government of Australia is formed.
"There are anxious days ahead, but I will keep fighting".
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11037486
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