The federal seat of Bradfield in Sydney’s north shore remains undecided, with Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian and independent challenger Nicolette Boele locked in an exceptionally tight race. As of Wednesday afternoon, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) reported Kapterian leading with 50.04% of the vote to Boele’s 49.96%, a mere 80-vote difference. This narrow margin has prompted media outlets, including the ABC and Sky News, to retract earlier projections declaring Kapterian the winner, now listing the seat as “in doubt.”

The contest intensified following the retirement of long-serving Liberal MP Paul Fletcher, which opened the door for a competitive challenge. Kapterian, a centrist backed by senior Liberals such as Sussan Ley, secured preselection over candidates including Warren Mundine. Boele, a clean energy executive and community independent, previously contested the seat in 2022, achieving a significant swing against the Liberals and narrowing their margin.

Boele’s campaign has been characterized by strong grassroots support, with over 1,300 volunteers mobilized across the electorate. Her platform focuses on climate action, political integrity, and economic justice. Despite facing scrutiny over a property transaction and a controversial incident at a local salon, Boele has maintained a resilient campaign, emphasizing transparency and community engagement.

The AEC continues to count remaining postal and absentee votes, with approximately 2,000 postal votes yet to be returned before Friday’s deadline and about 500 absentee ballots still to be tallied. Given the razor-thin margin, an automatic recount is expected, as per AEC protocols for seats decided by fewer than 100 votes.

Both campaigns are closely monitoring the count, with Boele’s team expressing optimism that remaining votes could swing in their favor. Kapterian’s camp remains hopeful, citing early leads and the strength of their ground game. The final outcome will not only determine the representation of Bradfield but also serve as a bellwether for the influence of independent candidates in traditionally safe Liberal seats.

As the count progresses, the Bradfield electorate—and the nation—awaits the final result of this closely contested race.

Source: The Guardian