Photo gallery: Federal election day in Parramatta

From voters hitting the booths to commiserations and celebrations as the counting kicked off, we captured federal election day in Parramatta.

After a six-week campaign to seize the marginal seat of Parramatta, Labor candidate Andrew Charlton trumped Liberal rival Maria Kovacic 54.62 to 45.38 on Saturday when he described it as the honour of his life to represent the community.

While votes still continue to be counted, he is ahead by 5448 on the two-party preferred system and will retain Labor following Julie Owens’ retirement from politics after 18 years.

The seat was one of the most closely examined in the nation and attracted ample scrutiny after Labor parachuted in Mr Charlton from Bellevue Hill in the eastern suburbs.

The former economics adviser to Kevin Rudd faced a fresh wave of controversy a week before the election when it was revealed he was still enrolled in the wealthy Wentworth electorate and he was using the North Parramatta house as campaign headquarters.

But raucous Labor supporters erupted with jubilation when it became clear their candidate had beaten Ms Kovacic, who gathered with her volunteers at Rydalmere Lions FC to lament the loss.

On the first party-preferred vote, Greens candidate Phil Bradley polled 5243 votes, followed by the United Australia Party’s Julian Fayad (3243), independent Steve Christou (2113), the Animal Justice Party’s Rohan Laxamanalal (1613), Pauline Hanson’s One Nation contender Heather Freeman (1248) and Liza Tazewell with 809 votes.

We snapped the events from polling day.

Labor candidate Andrew Charlton surrounded by volunteers including Granville MP Julia Finn at the Granville Public School. Picture: Brendan Read

A 59-year-old man was taken to hospital from the Granville Public School booth after he suffered a fall. Picture: Brendan Read

A nurse and doctor were on hand to render assistance before the ambulance arrived. Picture: Brendan Read

Maria Kovacic’s nieces and nephews Alana, Nick and Carla Kovacic. Picture: Brendan Read

Independent Cumberland councillor Joseph Rahme still supports the Liberals outside local government. He is with ex-Parramatta Lord Mayor Steven Issa at Granville Public School. Picture: Brendan Read

Eliza Swainson and daughter Kelsey in the stroller, Ester Taktak, and Ning and Harold Hettiaratchy. Picture: Brendan Read

Paul Swainson with daughter Kelsey voted for the Liberals.

Granville Public School is one of the busiest polling booths.

Granville Public School polling booth manager Brendan McEntee was busy on federal election day.

Voter Adrian Zanatta, 23, voted for the Greens.

Despite being across the road from Granville Public School, the Granville TAFE booth was much quieter.

Maria Kovacic’s husband Glenn Gibson helps shelter her from the rain as she arrives at Telopea Public School shortly before polling booths close.

The forecast was looking sunny for Maria despite the rain but Labor ran away with a win.

Supporters mob Maria Kovacic at Rydalmere Lions FC. Picture: Damian Shaw

Liberal candidate Maria Kovacic embraces six-year-old volunteer Alira Walker as she enters Rydalmere FC. Picture: Damian Shaw

Maria Kovacic arrives at Rydalmere Lions FC. Picture: Damian Shaw

Labor supporters at The Collector Hotel, Parramatta, wait for Andrew Charlton to arrive. Picture: Damian Shaw

Kassem Chalabi, Durga Owen and Michael Owen at The Collector Hotel, where Labor held its celebrations. Picture: Damian Shaw

Andrew Charlton delivers his victory speech. Picture: Damian Shaw

The ecstatic crowd paints the hotel red. Picture: Damian Shaw

Andrew Charlton said his honour of representing Parramatta turned into a responsibility. Picture: Damian Shaw

Andrew Charlton thanked his Labor cohorts and relatives. Picture: Damian Shaw

He was one of the most controversial candidates of the campaign but there was nothing but support for Andrew Charlton on Saturday night. Picture: Damian Shaw

After a long wait, Mr Charlton arrived to chants of “Andrew” and “Labor”. Picture: Damian Shaw

The venue was jam-packed. Picture: Damian Shaw

Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis arrives for the celebrations. Picture: Damian Shaw

Labor volunteers capture the special moment. Picture: Damian Shaw