Teal independent Nicolette Boele has promised to forge a new way forward in politics, claiming victory after a recount in the Sydney seat of Bradfield that went down to the wire.

Boele defeated Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian by just 26 votes after the Australian Electoral Commission finalised the result on Wednesday, more than a month after the election.

Kapterian led by eight votes after the first count of the seat, which triggered an automatic recount because it was less than 100 votes.

Boele regained a narrow lead during the recount, holding on to claim victory.

But Kapterian – who had already been named to a spot on the Coalition frontbench – has not conceded defeat, leaving the door open for a possible court challenge.

“This recount has created a different result,” she said on social media.

“While I was ahead at the conclusion off the original count, Ms Boele is now ahead after this recount.

“I will now carefully review the two counts.”

Boele said she was honoured to be elected as Bradfield’s next MP.

“We have chosen a new path, one that puts people above parties,” she said.

“I do not take this responsibility lightly. As Bradfield’s first independent member of parliament, I’m dedicated to serving this community with integrity, courage and care.

“After 75 years, Bradfield’s long-standing hold by one party has changed.”

The May 3 election was the second time Boele contested the former blue-ribbon Liberal seat as an independent. In 2022, she fell just short of winning.

After some media outlets declared the seat for Kapterian during the initial count, she was allowed to take part in a Liberal party room vote for a new leader in May.

She was also given a portfolio in Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s shadow cabinet, contingent on the outcome in Bradfield.

Boele paid tribute to her Liberal opponent during the tightly fought election race.

“I also want to acknowledge Gisele Kapterian for the civility she’s shown as a candidate during this close contest,” she said.

“Thank you to the Australian Electoral Commission officials and all the scrutineers for their careful and professional work throughout the count and recount.”

Boele said she would use her term in parliament to speak out on affordable housing, clean energy and action on climate change.

The margin in Bradfield is one of the closest at a federal election in history.

Boele’s victory means there will be 13 MPs on the crossbench in the lower house. The Coalition will have 43 seats against Labor’s 94 in the new parliament.

-AAP