'People should be afraid'

A UFO spotting former chicken farmer from the Northern Territory outback could hold the balance of power in a new government.

"People should be afraid, I'm afraid," said the independent member for Nelson, who was propelled into the political spotlight after Labor suffered a massive swing in Saturday's poll.

Gerry Wood, who entered parliament in 2001, last month told the local newspaper he thought he saw UFOs flying over Howard Springs.

"It was a dark grey object and it was flying parallel to the ground," he said at the time. "There wasn't a sound, not even a whisper."

Defying all predictions, Labor is expected to lose at least six of its 19 seats in parliament.

Fifty-seven votes are now all that separates the Country Liberals from gaining the seat of Fannie Bay, vacated this election by former chief minister Clare Martin.

If this happens, the conservative party - with the help of Mr Wood who would hold the balance of power - could form a minority government.

But Mr Wood today dodged questions about who he would back.

"I don't want to get, as I said last night, prematurely stressed about it," he told the ABC.

"But if it does happen then I will take due time to make sure that whatever decision that I come up with is what I think is the best decision for Territorians and for the Territory.

Mr Wood last night joked that people "should be afraid".

"I will have to consider their policies for the future and look at the talent on each side," he told the NT News.

"All I want is to go back to the Howard Springs Tavern - have a steak, a cold beer and rest my feet."

Mr Wood is expected to have the biggest majority of any MLA in the Territory after winning 77.4 per cent of the primary vote.