Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party’s Philip Donato wins Orange by-election by 50 votes

The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party candidate Philip Donato has won the seat of Orange by 50 votes, a re-count demanded by the Nationals has found.

Mr Donato received a total of 18,593 votes to National’s candidate Scott Barrett’s 18543, the Electoral Commission NSW recount found.

The result comes after former Nationals leader Troy Grant stood down following an unprecedented 34 per cent primary vote swing away from the party in the previously safe seat.

Confusion over a misplaced bundle of votes prompted the preference distribution recount last week, with the final tally today putting the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers (SFF) just ahead.

A recount was granted by the NSW Electoral Commission and was carried out from 8.30am today.

While initial results put Nationals candidate Scott Barrett in the lead, Mr Donato ultimately won by a narrow margin.