Teal independent Nicolette Boele has emerged victorious in the federal election for the Bradfield seat, narrowly defeating Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian by a margin of just 26 votes following a recount by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).

This recount reversed Kapterian's initial lead of eight votes from the original count, which had left the outcome of one of Australia’s tightest electoral contests uncertain.

The full recount, which encompassed all 112,374 votes cast in Bradfield, led to the AEC officially declaring Boele the winner.

This election marks a significant milestone for the Bradfield constituency, as Boele will be the first non-Liberal member to represent the seat in its 75-year history.

Kapterian, who had been selected as the Liberal candidate after the retirement of former MP Paul Fletcher, has expressed the possibility of contesting the result in the Court of Disputed Returns.

In her statement, Kapterian acknowledged the recount's outcome: "This recount has created a different result – while I was ahead at the conclusion of the original count, Ms. Boele is now ahead after this recount.

I will now carefully review the two counts."

The implications of this result extend beyond the immediate contest, presenting challenges for the Liberal Party leadership under newly appointed Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.

The loss of the Bradfield seat represents a setback, particularly as Kapterian had actively participated in the party meetings that saw Ley succeed former leader Peter Dutton, and had recently been promoted within the shadow ministry.

Ley's leadership may now be at risk, given that her margin of victory in the leadership ballot against former shadow treasurer Angus Taylor was slim, at only four votes.

Two of her supporters, Holly Hughes and Linda Reynolds, are also expected to leave Parliament with the incoming Senate terms.

Boele expressed her appreciation for being elected, commenting, "After 75 years, Bradfield's long-standing hold by one party has changed.

We have chosen a new path - one that puts people above parties." She also commended Kapterian for her conduct during the closely fought campaign.

With Boele’s victory, the House of Representatives will reflect a significant shift in its composition, with the Labor Party holding an equal-record majority of 94 seats, while the Liberal-National Coalition is reduced to 43. Boele will join the ranks of ten independents in Parliament, which includes notable figures such as Bob Katter and Rebekha Sharkie, alongside the sole Greens MP, Elizabeth Watson-Brown.