FORMER ACT opposition leader Zed Seselja has ousted sitting Liberal senator Gary Humphries in a preselection vote in Canberra, saying democracy is messy but it has been a fair vote.
Mr Seselja's push for the ACT Senate spot has divided the Liberal Party in Canberra, with Humphries supporters complaining they were effectively locked out of Saturday's vote.
Many vented their frustration at the result outside the Eastlake Football Club in Kingston, labelling the preselection process "corrupt" and "rigged".
Mr Seselja won the ballot by 114 to 84 - but about 400 Liberal members were ineligible to cast a vote because of party rules that they must have recently attended a branch meeting.
The new senate candidate dismissed talk of the preselection being rigged or unfair, saying, "It is a clear result from the party and I'm humbled by it."
"I think what we've had today is an exercise in democracy," Mr Seselja told reporters outside the football club.
"These processes are difficult, there is no doubt about it. Democracy is sometimes difficult - it can be messy."
Senator Humphries congratulated Mr Seselja on the win and said he would abide by the vote despite talk of a challenge from his supporters.
"I would obviously dearly have loved to have been there to fight that fight and have been the person who took on Labor and the Greens in September," he said.
"I'm sad after a very long career in politics to have to bow out, but one's time is up sooner or later and obviously today the view of members is my time is up."
Senator Humphries was first elected to the Senate in 2003.
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