Britain has a hung Parliament after an inconclusive result to the most tightly fought General Election in a generation.
With 36 seats still to be counted, David Cameron's Conservatives had secured 289 MPs, making it impossible for them to reach the 326 threshold for an overall majority.
The results set the scene for behind-the-scenes horse-trading possibly stretching into the weekend and beyond, as the parties struggle to form a viable coalition.
Even though Labour has not won the largest number of votes or seats, constitutional convention gives Gordon Brown the right, as incumbent Prime Minister, to try to form an administration.
Although he will come under intense pressure to quit, he is not required to do so until it becomes clear that he is unable to command a majority in the House of Commons or is rejected in a vote of confidence.
Lacking an overall majority, he is likely to turn first to the Liberal Democrats for support, either in a "progressive coalition" or an informal voting pact, to keep the Tories out of power.
However, any deal may also spell the end for Mr Brown's premiership, if Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg demands a change of Labour leader as part of the price of keeping the party in power.
The nationalists are also hoping they can benefit from the current state of the parties.
Plaid Cymru hope that by siding with the SNP to offer support on a vote-by-vote basis, they could get concessions for Wales and Scotland.
