Sydney, Australia (CNN) -- With no clear winner emerging from a cliff-hanger national election, Australian political leaders jostled for support from a handful of independent lawmakers Sunday.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she was speaking with independents in an effort to build a minority government. Opposition leader Tony Abbott also told reporters he had spoken with independent lawmakers.
Results were still being tallied by Australian elections officials Sunday. Analysts have predicted both parties will fall short of securing the 76 seats needed to win, meaning Australia could end up with its first hung parliament since 1940.
The tight election results mean a handful of independent lawmakers will likely play a key role in shaping the country's government.
Gillard, the head of the country's Labor Party, stressed that her discussions with independent and Greens Party lawmakers were preliminary. CNN
