Israel’s High Court of Justice on Thursday issued an order nisi in petitions challenging the Knesset’s election of attorney Michael Ravivlo as state comptroller. The court also suggested that the Knesset hold a revote, citing a breach of ballot secrecy in the election process.
The order requires the respondents to explain why the vote that elected Ravivlo should not be annulled. During the hearing, Justice Gila Kanfy-Steinitz said, “There was definitely a breach of the secrecy in the vote of two Knesset members.”
Ravivlo was elected in the second round by 61 Knesset members to 57 for retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron. The petitions were filed after Likud lawmakers were filmed behind the voting booth with their ballots, even though the election was supposed to be secret.
The court’s move leaves open the possibility of canceling the result and forcing a new vote in the Knesset.