Reserve Soldiers in Samaria Denied Vote Due to 'Technical Issues'
Translated & summarized from Davar by baba
Dozens of reserve soldiers serving near Tulkarm in Samaria were unable to vote in the elections due to "technical issues" cited by the IDF. A promised mobile polling station was canceled, and soldiers were told to reach a regular polling station, which was deemed impossible. One soldier called it a "denial of a fundamental right," and the IDF's standard procedure for remote voting was not followed.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Dozens of reserve soldiers in Samaria were unable to vote due to IDF "technical issues."
- A mobile polling station promised to soldiers near Tulkarm was canceled.
- Soldiers were instructed to reach a polling station, a requirement deemed unrealistic.
- One soldier described the situation as a "denial of a fundamental right."
- The IDF's early voting procedures for remote locations were not utilized.
Dozens of reserve soldiers serving in the Samaria region will be unable to vote in Tuesday's elections due to "technical issues" cited by the IDF, according to a report by Davar. These soldiers are stationed in the Tulkarm sector of the Ephraim Brigade, specifically in the refugee camps of Tulkarm and Nur al-Shams, near the city.
Initially, the brigade announced that a mobile polling station would visit the soldiers' locations. However, on election day, they were informed that due to "technical issues of the brigade, the mobile polling station will ultimately not go inside." Soldiers were instructed to reach a polling station if they had not yet voted, a requirement deemed unrealistic and effectively disenfranchising them.
One soldier expressed frustration in a WhatsApp group, calling the situation a "denial of a fundamental right." Israeli law grants IDF soldiers the right to vote at military polling stations and mobile units deployed to remote outposts.
For locations where in-person voting on election day is not feasible, such as outposts in the Gaza Strip or southern Lebanon, or for units on multi-day operational missions, the IDF typically arranges early voting. This was not the case for the reserve soldiers near Tulkarm.
The IDF spokesperson's response was pending at the time of reporting.
