Israel's Supreme Court Hears Likud Challenge on Voter Data Access

The Israeli Supreme Court has begun hearings on a petition filed by the Likud party challenging a decision by the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Noam Sohlberg. The core of the dispute is Sohlberg's prohibition on transmitting real-time information to party headquarters regarding which registered voters have already cast their ballots. Sohlberg ruled on August 4 that this practice violates privacy rights and contravenes the Privacy Protection Law. He stated that party representatives at polling stations should focus on election organization and oversight, not on gathering data for political mobilization.

Historically, parties, particularly right-wing and Haredi factions, have utilized such data in past elections to identify and encourage unregistered voters to participate. The Likud party contends that Sohlberg's ruling imposes new restrictions on election day operations. The case is being heard by Justices Yael Willner, Alex Stein, and Khaled Kabub.