The ACT's Hare-Clark electoral system can be brutal with sitting members often in more danger from their own party's candidates than their political opponents.
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Each territory election produces examples of MLAs being ''knocked off'' by their party members and as counting continues after Saturday's poll, internal battles have emerged in the Liberal and Labor camps.
In Molonglo, Liberals newcomer Elizabeth Lee and the party's education spokesman Steve Doszpot are neck and neck for the third spot the Liberals are expected to win in the central seven-seat electorate.
Labor frontbencher Simon Corbell is still trailing fellow ALP candidate Meegan Fitzharris by several hundred votes in the race for the third Labor spot in the same electorate.
Mr Corbell and Ms Fitzharris declined to be interviewed yesterday.
In Ginninderra the race is tight between Labor sitting member Chris Bourke and newcomer Yvette Berry but it is now possible that both will be elected with Ms Berry forcing out Greens leader Meredith Hunter.
With counting not likely to be finished until Saturday, all the candidates in the tight races face a nervous few days.
Ms Lee was dismantling her campaign office yesterday with the help of her Sydney-based parents John and Cecelia.
''I always went in thinking, you know what, you don't know anything until the last vote is counted,'' Ms Lee said.
''With the Hare Clark system and given the calibre of some of the candidates, particularly on the Liberal ticket, it was always going to be hard to tell.
''We don't know but at this stage, we're too close to call.
''But with the preferences, it's only the really initial ones that have been done so far so it's really neck and neck.''
The university law lecturer who ran one of the most high-profile campaigns seen from a non-incumbent, trails Mr Doszpot on primary votes but the first distribution of preferences has her slightly ahead.
Mr Doszpot, who moved into Molonglo from Brindabella last year, said that he always expected a tough campaign after the move.
''I recognised the gamble I was taking,'' he said.
''I came in as a member for another electorate and had to establish my profile without an awful lot of time.
''And I can tell you as local representative that it's awkward being the member for Brindabella and the candidate for Molonglo.
''I recognised the risk I was taking but though the risk was worth taking if I could get into government,'' he said. Mr Doszpot said he was prepared for the period of uncertainty.
''I've been in this position before, every election you go through a period like this.
''The last election I got in after a weak and-a-half, two weeks.'' he said. ''I was leading at this stage, but you never know, once preferences kick in, anything could happen.''