Labor supporters are celebrating their party’s lead with 15 per cent of votes in the Victorian state election counted.
For the first time, pre-poll votes will be counted on election night alongside those cast at 1795 polling centres on Saturday.
A total of 4.1 million people were enrolled to vote in the 88 seats in the Victorian parliament.
At least 45 seats are needed to form a majority government, which the Labor government under Premier Daniel Andrews currently holds.
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) said it aims to count up to 75 per cent of Lower House first preference votes tonight.
“Recent legislative changes allowed the VEC to start extraction and sorting of postal votes and early votes several hours ago ready for a 6.00 pm sharp start of counting,” Mr Gately said.
Victorian election 2018: Andrews has again ruled out any deal with the Greens
Exit polls point to Labor win
An exit poll is predicting Daniel Andrews and Labor will be returned for a second term in Victoria with an slightly increased majority.
The Galaxy poll for the Nine Network shows a state-wide swing of three per cent to Labor that would increase the government’s one-seat margin in the 88-seat parliament by at least two more seats.
The poll projects the primary vote to be up to 41 per cent for Labor, with the Liberal-National coalition dropping to 38 per cent, and the Greens on 12 per cent.
“I am hoping that these polls aren’t as accurate as you hope that they are,” Liberal shadow treasurer Michael O’Brien told the panel.
Labor panellist, Police Minister Lisa Neville, cautiously welcomed the poll.
“Look, I prefer to be in our position at the moment than Michael’s, I will say it that way.”
The Galaxy poll was conducted with 1500 voters in 16 seats on Saturday.
Three opinion polls published in newspapers on Friday and Saturday morning had indicated Labor would be returned on Saturday.
Daniel Andrews vows not to do deal with Greens
The premier earlier hurged Victorians to ensure a stable majority government, launching a renewed attack on the Greens.
Mr Andrews had encouraged voters to mark their Labor candidate number one on the ballot paper to ensure stability, and end the risk of him relying on the Greens to form a minority government.
Victorian election 2018: Matthew Guy on polls
“We need a strong, stable majority Labor government in this state and I would urge for all Victorians to vote for their local Labor candidate so we can keep on investing in the road, rail, and school infrastructure we need,” he told Nine on Saturday.
The premier, who has consistently ruled out a deal with the Greens, on Saturday repeated his description of the left party’s culture as toxic and called it out for failing women. Two Greens candidates have faced allegations over their behaviour against women.
But Greens leader Samantha Ratnam said Mr Andrews was attacking her party because he knew they were a threat.
We can still win: Mathew Guy
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy had tried to remain upbeat during the day.
The Newspoll published by The Weekend Australian on Saturday indicates a two- party preferred Labor victory of 53.5 per cent, leaving the Liberal-Nationals with 46.5 per cent.
The poll, which was conducted on November 21 and 22, had 41 per cent of the primary vote going to Labor, 40 to the Liberal-Nationals and 11 to the Greens.
Other pre-election polls published in The Age and Herald Sun have delivered similar results, predicting Labor as the winner.
Mr Andrews and Mr Guy on Saturday morning pitched their last-minute plea to the more than 2.5 million Victorians who were still to cast their votes.
But the message will be lost on the 1,639,202 voters who voted before election day.
Mr Guy, who was one of the early voters, was still talking up the coalition’s chances.
“We can win seats today. It is going to be a tough road. We know that. But nothing worthwhile is easy,” he told reporters on Saturday morning.
The Greens hope to hold the inner-city electorates of Melbourne, Prahran and Northcote, and to gain Richmond and Brunswick.
Counting started at 6pm when booths closed. The Victorian Electoral Commission will also be counting the pre-poll ballots on Saturday night.
