Preliminary results of the New Zealand general election show that the National Party and the Labor Party are in a close race

(Central News Agency, Wellington, Comprehensive Foreign News Report on the 7th) New Zealand held a national election today. Preliminary results showed that the ruling center-right National Party and the main opposition Labor Party were closely tied in terms of vote share.

Reuters reported that the results released by the New Zealand Electoral Commission showed that after more than 95% of the votes were counted, both parties won slightly less than 30%, with a difference of only a few thousand votes.

The Electoral Commission's seat forecast shows that the current three-party coalition government led by the National Party is expected to maintain a parliamentary majority with a difference of 2 seats.

Both parties say it will still take some time for the final results to be known.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told supporters in Auckland: "It's exciting that based on the current data, National is once again the largest party in Parliament and we have a path to forming the next government."

But he immediately said: "However, I must tell you now that the election is still very close, and the outcome is still difficult to determine."

Labor leader Chris Hipkins also delivered a similar message to supporters in Upper Hutt, northeast of the capital Wellington.

"New Zealand has spoken tonight. It may take us a little while to figure out exactly what you have expressed," he said.

Special ballot papers, including those from overseas voters and those who voted outside their constituencies, will not be included until the official election results are announced on November 27.

Such votes have generally favored left-wing parties in the past, and right-wing parties tend to see their support slip once the votes are counted. In constituencies where Labor and National candidates are close, special votes may also be key to the election outcome.

New Zealand's electoral system makes coalition governments the norm, and this year's close election means one or more small parties are almost certain to participate in forming a government.

New Zealand switched to a federal system (Mixed Member Proportional Representation, MMP) in 1996. Voters are required to vote for political parties and candidates in their respective constituencies.

There are 71 constituency seats in the New Zealand Parliament, and at least 49 party seats. A political party or a coalition of political parties must obtain a majority of seats to form a government.

Support for both Labor and the National Party is at historic lows. Polls show that voters have lost confidence in the two major parties. If the National-led coalition loses its parliamentary majority, either that coalition or the left-wing coalition may need the support of the centrist Opportunity Party.