Israeli Election Chief Asserts Vote Integrity Amidst Fraud Claims
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg stated that Israeli elections cannot be stolen, despite concerns raised by political figures. During a visit to the committee's logistics center in Shoham, Sohlberg highlighted the numerous oversight measures in place to ensure vote integrity. His comments come amid claims from opposition leaders about potential election manipulation. The committee is preparing for the upcoming elections, involving over 7.3 million voters at more than 12,000 polling stations, and is coordinating with security agencies to address potential threats.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Justice Noam Sohlberg stated that Israeli elections cannot be stolen, despite concerns.
- Sohlberg emphasized the numerous oversight and control measures ensuring vote integrity.
- Opposition figures Yair Lapid and Yair Golan have recently voiced fears of election manipulation.
- The elections committee is preparing for over 7.3 million voters at 12,018 polling stations.
- The committee is coordinating with security agencies to address potential threats.
- Ballots are scheduled to be distributed from the Shoham logistics center.
Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Justice Noam Sohlberg, stated on Wednesday that he is convinced elections in Israel cannot be stolen. Speaking 13 days before the 26th Knesset elections, Sohlberg visited the committee's logistics center in Shoham, where he addressed security challenges, public polarization, and threats from cyber and artificial intelligence. He emphasized that the oversight and control systems are designed to ensure election results accurately reflect citizens' votes.
"There are dozens of oversight and control measures designed to ensure the results are true results," Sohlberg said. "The paper ballot allows for recounting every vote, recounting again, and making corrections if necessary, which is why it provides great confidence in the results. We at the committee, despite all the difficulties, are convinced of the integrity of the elections and are convinced that elections cannot be stolen."
Sohlberg's remarks come amid recent claims by political figures expressing fears of election "theft." In March, opposition leader Yair Lapid alleged that the elections would be contested by an opponent "who has no problem cheating and lying and trying to steal the elections." This week, Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats, warned that "Bibi will try to disrupt the elections" and expressed concern that Netanyahu might refuse to accept the results.
During the tour, Logistics Center Director Yossi Thoran presented the preparations for the elections, which are expected to involve 7,331,981 eligible voters casting ballots at 12,018 polling stations nationwide. Approximately 450 million ballots were printed for 38 competing lists, along with 12 million ballot envelopes and 4 million outer envelopes. Innovations to minimize errors at polling stations were also showcased, including a new ruler with a dedicated slot for marking voters in the registry and a backup system for quickly supplying additional ballots and equipment.
Sohlberg also addressed preparations for unusual scenarios that could disrupt election day, noting that the committee is preparing for security, technological, and operational threats in cooperation with the Israel Police, the General Security Service (Shin Bet), the Cyber Directorate, and other bodies. He stated that the 20 regional committees and the central committee teams are working with a sense of mission and are preparing for the opening of polling stations on October 27.
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