DHAKA: Australia’s opposition leader has urged Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to resign after a cliff-hanger election failed to deliver a clear winner.

“I think he should quit,” said Labor Party leader Bill Shorten. “He’s delivered instability.”

The election result remained too close to call as counting of votes resumed Tuesday morning, reports the BBC.

The PM said he had “every confidence” his conservative coalition would be able to form a majority government.

Australia faces the prospect of a “hung parliament” after neither of the two main parties reached the 76-seat quota required to form a government.

According to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), the vote tallies show that in the contest for the 150 lower house seats, the ruling conservative coalition has won 67 seats and the centre-left Labor Party has won 71 seats.

A total of six seats have gone to independents and minor parties, and six seats remain in doubt, the AEC says.

According to the Labor Party leader, the prime minister failed to deliver the stability he had promised.

“Turnbull tried to capitalise on the Brexit vote and say because of what happened in England that you had to vote for him in Australia,” Shorten said.

BDST: 0924 HRS, JULY 5, 2016
BD