Independent Nicolette Boele ahead in critical seat of Bradfield by 40 votes as electoral watchdog flags recount

The electoral watchdog has delivered a bombshell update on a crucial federal seat after an Independent teal candidate edged ahead by a razor-thin margin.

Independent teal candidate Nicolette Boele has edged ahead in the race for the seat of Bradfield by just 40 votes – triggering a bombshell update from the electoral watchdog as the Liberals’ purported victory is put into play.

Ms Boele’s opponent, Liberal Gisele Kapterian, was last week on track to win the longtime blue-ribbon seat for the party.

But the latest vote count on Monday evening has now flipped the climate-backed Teal back into the lead by a razor-thin margin of 40 votes.

Ms Boele has secured 56,233 votes, while Ms Kapterian sits at 56,191.

Nicolette Boele has pulled ahead in the vote off the back of a surge in absent, postal and declaration pre-poll ballots. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) will now carry out a full distribution of preferences and will automatically conduct a recount if the final margin is less than 100 votes.

“It now looks like the result in Bradfield will come down to just a few dozen votes out of around 120,000,” Ms Boele said on Monday afternoon.

“There may be a recount and I await the final declaration from the AEC.

“I’m grateful we live in a country with a trusted electoral commission that conducts itself with integrity. I didn’t quite think I’d get such a close look at the institutions underpinning our democracy, but seeing the AEC operate over the past few weeks, I’m glad we live in Australia.

Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian was expected to win the seat, which has only ever been held by Liberal MPs since it was established in 1949. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The Teal thanked her “respectful and formidable” opponent for her civility throughout the count.

“This has been a nailbiting couple of weeks for our volunteers, and I’m sure for Gisele Kapterian and her team as well,” she added.

“No matter the final result, our community has sent a powerful message to the major parties: we are not the safe seat we used to be.

“Our votes mattered this time, and they will matter next time too. That’s the power of independents and I thank our 1,450 volunteers for the years of hard work it took to get here.”

Originally published as Independent Nicolette Boele ahead in critical seat of Bradfield by 40 votes as electoral watchdog flags recount