The Knesset is expected to tell the High Court of Justice on Sunday that it rejects the judges’ proposed compromise and will not hold a repeat vote for state comptroller. Lawmakers want to preserve the election of attorney Michael Ravilo, despite the sharp criticism raised over how the ballot was conducted.
The dispute follows petitions challenging Ravilo’s win over retired judge Yosef Elron by 61 votes to 57. The petitioners argued that the secrecy of the vote was compromised, including because some Likud lawmakers were documented photographing their slips behind the voting booth curtain.
According to Kan 11 and Globes, the judges suggested the Knesset consider a new vote after concluding that some of the ballots raise legal difficulties. The Knesset plans to argue that there is no basis to cancel the vote and that the fact that members photographed their ballots does not justify reopening the process.
During the hearing, the judges said the election remains under an “unwanted cloud,” and warned that if the Knesset does not accept the proposal, the court may continue hearing the petitions and issue an order nisi. The standoff now places the comptroller appointment at a sensitive stage, with the Knesset insisting on the original result and the court weighing whether the alleged breach of secrecy warrants unusual intervention.
