Election Committee Overturns Chief Justice's Ban on Real-Time Voter Reporting

The Central Elections Committee has voted to allow the continuation of real-time reporting on voter turnout, reversing a decision made by its chairman, Justice Noam Sohlberg. The committee approved the measure with 19 votes in favor, 11 against, and three abstentions, following a heated debate.

Justice Sohlberg had previously prohibited parties from receiving real-time updates on who had voted and who had not. This reversal by the committee also goes against the stance of the Attorney General, who opposed the practice. The Supreme Court had prompted the committee to re-examine the issue after a dispute arose regarding Sohlberg's authority to make such a decision unilaterally.

During the discussion, MK Amit Halevi clashed with a representative from the Privacy Protection Authority, questioning the timing of their objection. The authority's representative maintained their position had been consistent. MK Simcha Rothman and Deputy Chairman MK Erez Malul criticized the attempt to ban real-time reporting, arguing it constituted changing the rules mid-election.

Conversely, some committee members argued that the practice did not comply with legal requirements. Ultimately, the majority of committee members supported continuing the real-time reporting from polling stations, effectively nullifying Justice Sohlberg's ban.