Knesset Legal Advisor Urges Supreme Court to Hold New State Comptroller Election Promptly

The Knesset's Legal Advisor, Shagit Afik, has informed the Supreme Court that a new election for State Comptroller should be held as soon as possible, following irregularities in the previous vote that led to the disqualification of candidate Michael Ravilo. Afik reiterated her stance, first reported two months ago, that the court's ruling on the matter must be implemented and a date set for a repeat vote "as soon as possible and, if possible, still during the tenure of the current Knesset." She acknowledged that over three months have passed since the Supreme Court's decision, and that factors such as the proximity to elections, the Knesset's recess, and changes in its composition (five MKs have resigned and been replaced) exist. However, she stated these do not negate the obligation to comply with the ruling.

The Supreme Court's decision in early July mandated a new election due to "a substantial flaw" in the secrecy of the ballot, stemming from Knesset members photographing their votes. This ruling prompted consultations within the Prime Minister's office and among Likud party leadership regarding compliance, with some in the coalition reportedly advocating against a repeat election.

The initial election was contested between Ravilo, described as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's personal attorney, and retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron. Elron initially secured 60 votes, one short of the 61 needed for victory in the first round. In the second round, Ravilo was elected with 57 votes, but not before a disturbance arose when Likud members allegedly demanded their colleagues photograph their ballots for Ravilo behind the voting curtain.

The Supreme Court's ruling, authored by Deputy President Noam Sohlberg and agreed upon by President Yitzhak Amit and Justice Daphna Barak-Erez, found a "substantial flaw" in the secrecy of the vote during the second round. Despite this, the coalition has so far refrained from holding a new election, and opposition parties, some of whom petitioned the court, have not pressed the issue.

The article also notes the State Comptroller's role in auditing the finances of political parties and candidates, a function that can lead to critical reports and even criminal investigations, as seen in the past with parties like Balad. While these audits occur post-election and their absence now does not affect current election processes, the comptroller is also responsible for reviewing the performance of the election committee itself.