New Zealand election too close to call with half the votes counted

Early results after polls closed in New Zealand show the two main parties neck-and-neck. The country has strict election-day laws on political reporting to prevent voters from being swayed at the last minute. Voters in New Zealand cast their ballots on the final day of close-fought general elections on Saturday, with the rising cost of living and general economic problems the main issues at stake.

Results with over half of votes counted at 9:44 p.m. local time (0844 GMT) showed the ruling center-right National Party and the opposition Labour Party neck-and-neck at 29%. The voting took place under New Zealand's strict laws banning media reporting and political campaigning on the final day.

New Zealanders have, however, been able to cast their votes since October 26, with almost 1.7 million of the country's 3.8 million eligible voters already casting their ballots by Thursday, according to the electoral commission.