Coalition MK Sharren Haskel may prove decisive in the petitions before the High Court of Justice against the appointment of attorney Michael Rivallo as State Comptroller. Haskel, who joined the coalition as part of Gideon Saar’s merger with Likud, said she saw Knesset members being forced to photograph their votes in the comptroller election.
The petitions, filed by the opposition, do not focus on Rivallo’s qualifications or a possible conflict of interest. Instead, they challenge the manner of the Knesset vote that selected him for the post, arguing that the secret ballot was compromised by the alleged requirement to document how coalition lawmakers voted.
According to the petitioners, coalition MKs were subject to a “photo requirement” meant to ensure they supported the candidate promoted by the prime minister. Haskel made the remarks on the program “Yoman HaTzohorayim” on Radio Galey Israel, and her testimony could influence the High Court’s decision on the appointment.