Ryan Bridge: Why the vote count takes so long

People keep asking what is taking so damn long with the vote counting. 

There are fewer specials to count this time round - the were expecting around 700k but only got 400k. 

The problem is they need to send all the votes from people who voted outside their electorate back to that electorate for counting. 

Some of those votes will have come from overseas.

They also recount all the votes they already counted on election day. 

It's the equivalent of a builder's measuring twice and cutting once. 

But it does mean for three weeks the country's governing arrangements are completely up in air. 

It's like watching a game of cricket and trying to work out who's winning. 

Impossible stuff. 

Still, it's better we're certain of the final result than question. 

You'd rather three weeks and a number you can trust than two weeks and a number you don't.