Bega Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Mal Barnes took a moment to share his thoughts on the longest federal election campaign in half a century and the likelihood of a hung parliament.

“I predicted that Mike Kelly would get in making Eden-Monaro a Labor seat,” Mr Barnes said.

“It seems that for the first time since the 1970s our electorate won’t be a bellwether seat, which may affect the community in terms of funding promises.”

Bega’s Brett Hanson said he was disillusioned by the whole political system and described waiting hours in line on election day.

“The election’s not over yet, but it doesn’t matter who wins because they’ll just renege on everything they say,” he said.

Other voters were more upbeat about the election, especially the re-election of former MP Mike Kelly.

“I’m delighted Mike [Kelly] is back,” Bega’s Leona Cairns said as she chatted with friends in Ayres Walkway.

“I’m also delighted the Senate is likely to have Independents because it is supposed to be a house of review and people should get on well enough to vote on the merits of the legislation to be passed, not on their political philosophies.”

Vince Leonello said he found it difficult to understand why an election result could take weeks to finalise.

“It is a bit of a shemozzle,” the Bega resident said.

“In this day and age with all the electronics and technology you would think they’d get a quick result.”

Despite the long wait on a national level, Mr Leonello said he was happy with the quick result in his own electorate.

“I’m glad [Peter] Hendy has gone away,” he said.

“I didn’t see him doing too much around here and he tried to take credit for what Mike Kelly had done in the area.”

Dr Hendy released a statement on Saturday night congratulating Dr Kelly on his “apparent success” in retaining Eden-Monaro with 53.53 per cent of the of the two party preferred vote as of Monday afternoon.