(VOVworld) – Preliminary results in Australia’s election have showed that neither of the 2 main political parties, the ruling Liberal-National coalition and the Labor party, was the winner.

For the first time in decades, all lower and upper houses were being contested in a single election. (Photo: Getty Images)

Their leaders began negotiations on Monday with independent MPs to win the 76 seats needed in the 150-seat Lower House to form a government. Counting of pre-poll, postal and absentee votes will resume on Tuesday, according to the Australian Electoral Commission, who said it will take it several weeks to release the final result of the 10 seats left in the Lower House.

The Australian Electoral Commission tally has the ruling Liberal-National coalition leading with 68 seats, the Labor party on 67 seats, and 5 seats belonging to the Australian Greens and independent MPs. Observers said the seat-by-seat vote makes it hard for any party to secure an absolute victory and form a government.