Election Committee Reverses Ban on 'Elector' App Used by Parties

The Central Elections Committee has approved the use of the 'Elector' application, which allows parties to receive real-time reports on citizens who have not yet voted. The decision was made on Sunday by a majority of 19 votes to 11, following a lengthy debate.

This approval overturns a previous ruling by the committee's chairman, Judge Noam Solberg, who had banned the app, citing concerns that it infringes on citizens' privacy and autonomy. Solberg had stated that knowing whether or not a person voted is a violation of their private space.

The Likud party had petitioned the High Court of Justice against Solberg's decision, arguing that he lacked the authority to make such a ruling unilaterally and that the app's content was problematic. The High Court acknowledged the argument regarding Solberg's lack of authority and proposed that the decision be reconsidered by the full committee.

During the High Court proceedings, Likud's representative, Adv. Ilan Bombach, described the app's potential cancellation just before elections as causing "enormous damage" to the party, noting that the Likud has used the app and its associated database for many years. He also pointed out that the Knesset could not convene to legislate a solution during the election period.

Opponents of the app can still appeal the committee's decision to the High Court. If an appeal is filed, the court will need to rule on the legality of reporting on non-voters, a matter on which Justice Vilner had previously expressed concerns about privacy violations.