Turnout is high in Israel’s parliamentary elections, reaching 44.9% by 2pm, according to the latest update from the Election Committee. About 3.29 million citizens had already voted, and voter mobilisation could affect the final distribution of seats.
The corresponding turnout in the 2022 election was 38.9%, making today’s figure six percentage points higher. It is the highest turnout recorded at this time of day since records began in 1973. By noon, 31.5% of registered voters had cast ballots, compared with 28.4% in 2022, already indicating a significant increase from the morning hours.
The higher turnout is particularly significant because the latest polls showed neither of the two main political camps comfortably securing the required majority of 61 seats. Its impact will depend on which voters are more mobilised, while overall turnout figures are not enough to draw firm conclusions about the winner.
Political controversy followed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks alleging an attempt to “steal” the election. In a message to Likud voters, he referred to particularly high turnout among Arab citizens and urged his supporters to go to the polls immediately. “They are trying to steal the election from us,” he said.
'Buying votes'
Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party accused the Prime Minister of seeking to undermine confidence in the electoral process and prepare the ground for challenging the result. In a statement, it said the allegations were not accidental and urged voters to secure a broad victory for the opposition, leaving no room for the result to be disputed.
Netanyahu’s remarks came after three people were arrested in southern Israel and are being investigated over a possible attempt to buy votes. The Election Committee described the incident as isolated. It also said there was so far no evidence of systematic ballot tampering, despite parties’ complaints about damage to or shortages of ballots at polling stations.
Heavy turnout has led to queues in various areas, and the Committee issued additional instructions to speed up the process. Authorities said that the irregularities recorded by the morning were fewer than in the previous election.
Most polling stations close at 10pm local time, when the first exit polls are expected. The Committee clarified that people already in line at closing time will still be able to vote afterwards.
Source: CNA
