IDF Mandates Voting Access for All Service Members Ahead of Elections
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
The IDF has ordered that all soldiers, including reservists, must be able to vote in the upcoming Knesset elections. Special polling stations will be set up on military bases, and commanders can adjust schedules to allow participation. This directive comes as the military maintains heightened readiness and restricted movement from bases until the elections conclude.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir ordered restricted soldier movement off bases during elections.
- IDF Chief Election Officer Vered Ben Yehuda mandated voting access for all service members.
- Special polling stations will be established on military bases for soldiers and reservists.
- Commanders must adjust schedules to ensure every soldier can exercise their right to vote.
- Soldiers are prohibited from voting at both military and civilian polling stations.
- Heightened military readiness will be maintained throughout the election period.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has issued special directives to ensure all military personnel, including regular soldiers and reservists, can vote in upcoming Knesset elections, regardless of their location. This decision follows an order from Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to restrict soldiers' movement off bases during the election period. To facilitate voting, special polling stations will be established within military units, and commanders are authorized to adjust service schedules to allow every soldier to exercise their right to vote. These instructions, sent by Colonel Vered Ben Yehuda, the IDF's Chief Election Officer, apply to conscripts, career soldiers, and reservists. Given that tens of thousands of soldiers will remain at their posts, the army is setting up stationary and mobile polling stations on military sites. This system will enable soldiers on operational duties away from their permanent bases to cast their ballots. Ben Yehuda emphasized that while maintaining security is paramount and does not exempt the army from its tasks, it should not hinder soldiers' electoral rights. Commanders must organize schedules to ensure every soldier can vote, potentially by altering unit work hours and task execution. They are also required to inform personnel in advance about polling station locations and operating hours, ensuring ballot secrecy and adherence to legal procedures. A specific rule prohibits soldiers from voting at both military and civilian polling stations, with Ben Yehuda warning that voting more than once is illegal. These directives were issued amid heightened military readiness, with Zamir having previously assessed the operational situation and ordered restricted movement from bases starting Thursday, a measure to remain in place until elections conclude. The army will continue its operational duties while facilitating voting for its personnel.
