Federal parliamentarians say management of the coronavirus crisis lies at the heart of the Northern Territory election.
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However, some have their doubts about whether it is a motivator for voters.
Counting continues in Saturday's Top End poll, with Labor aiming to hold its majority in the 25-seat assembly and stave off a challenge from the Country Liberal Party and the fledgling Territory Alliance.
The CLP appeared on track to take its numbers from two to at least five seats, with a swing of three per cent against Labor. However the incumbent party could still reach a majority with 13 seats.
In a shock result, it seems likely Alliance leader Terry Mills has lost his seat.
Labor MP Luke Gosling, who holds the federal NT seat of Solomon, told AAP chief minister Michael Gunner had "made all the right calls" when it came to dealing with the health and economic impacts of COVID-19.
"He has worked hard to develop a diverse NT economy with a focus on jobs and throughout COVID-19 he has made all the right calls," Mr Gosling said.
The NT has seen 33 cases of COVID-19 - mostly people who returned from overseas - and no deaths.
Country Liberal Party senator Sam McMahon said the NT economy had been in tatters before the coronavirus pandemic.
"Michael Gunner has been helped by the COVID crisis, but, let's face it, all he has done is what he was told to do, nothing more, nothing special," she told the ABC.
"All that he has campaigned on is 'COVID, I've kept you safe'."
Nationals federal president Larry Anthony said the take-out from the NT election is governments can't hide behind the handling of the pandemic.
"People are looking beyond that and they want to see the future ... which is economic growth and getting jobs," Mr Anthony told ABC TV.
"They are not just prepared to tick and flick governments because they've handled COVID well."
Labor senator Malarndirri McCarthy said it had been a "tough year" not only in the NT but across the country and the world.
"What we've called on through this election is to ask for the voters of the Northern Territory to stay with us, to stay the course," she said.
"Obviously we are not completely through that. It is important to recognise that had things gone terribly wrong, it would certainly have been another story, and we are asking the people of the Northern Territory to stay with us tonight."
Australian Associated Press
