It's been a tense wait, but Michael Laws' return to local body politics has finally been confirmed this afternoon - but only just.

The former mayor of Whanganui has grabbed the last of three seats in the Dunstan Constituency, on the Otago Regional Council.

When preliminary results were revealed, Laws was in a tight contest with Gary Kelliher for the seat.

Today, the Otago Regional Council confirmed Laws as the winner, edging Kelliher by five votes.