00:00Counting is finally underway, but it could be more than a week before the results.
00:08After a long campaign, many are today sighing a breath of relief.
00:13It was hard work, and I have to say it was the hardest campaign I've seen in my 30 years in politics.
00:19I can't believe the venom, the poison, the innendo, the make-up stories with no foundations.
00:25The results so far showing a tight race in Darwin City, with Convat Scholars hoping to secure a third term, lagging behind former CLP Deputy Chief Minister Peter Stiles.
00:36People are telling me out there that they're tired of not knowing what's going on in council.
00:40The decision we made was the best decision we made for the community, the whole community.
00:45Neither candidate is taking a win for granted, with preferences yet to be distributed, the campaign failing to inspire many potential voters.
00:55We've got some wards which have seen a participation rate of around 11%.
00:59Then we've also seen some of our councils and wards around the 70%.
01:03Voter turnout not helped by polling booths in these communities being open for just half an hour.
01:09In Palmerston, incumbent Mayor Athena Pascoe-Bell secured more than 50% of the primary vote.
01:16After a recent 4.9% rate hike, which put many ratepayers offside.
01:22It is very difficult when council costs increase. Some of our contract costs have increased by 30%.
01:28So having to juggle what we're able to deliver with rising costs is an unfortunate factor of council.
01:35In Alice Springs, where Mayor Matt Paterson is stepping down, lawyer Astor Hill holds a narrow lead over sitting councillor Ellie Malky.
01:45One of the key issues that I campaigned on was changing the story of our town.
01:49Because we have been in the news for all the wrong reasons for quite a long time.
01:54It's impacted tourism, our local workforce and economy.
01:57I predicted that I would be further behind, but I'm pleased I'm not. So we're in the hands of the counters now.
02:04An anxious wait for candidates.
02:06.
02:12.
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