New Zealand’s right-leaning coalition, led by the National party, hopes to cling on to power based on Saturday’s cliffhanger general election. But the shape of the next government will not become clear until 27 November.

Here’s why the outcome remains unclear and why almost 400,000 yet-to-be-counted special votes could sway the result.

So who won?

It’s currently too close to call. Neither the National party leader, Christopher Luxon, or Labour’s Chris Hipkins claimed the win on Saturday night. While preliminary results show Labour just ahead on the popular vote – 29.3% to National’s 29.2% – National won more seats in parliament , 42 seats to Labour’s 36, under the mixed member proportionate voting system (MMP).

It looks like 66 seats will be needed for a majority, and it’s not clear yet whether this can be cobbled together by the left or right bloc.…