Haifa Deputy Mayor Urges High Voter Turnout in Crucial Election

Fakhir Beyadsi, Deputy Mayor of Haifa, described the election atmosphere in the city as positive, emphasizing that election day presents a significant opportunity for the Arab community to influence its future and improve its reality after years of hardship and incitement. Speaking on Radio Al-Shams, Beyadsi urged residents to participate actively and exercise their democratic right, stressing that every vote is important.

He advised voters to cast their ballots early in the morning to avoid crowds and potential difficulties in voting later in the day. Beyadsi also highlighted an issue concerning ballot papers for the Joint List, noting that the symbols appeared only in Hebrew, not Arabic, on the ballots. This prompted complaints to the Central Elections Committee and the Haifa elections committee, demanding the inclusion of Arabic letters as a fundamental right for Arab voters. While voting in Hebrew is possible, he stressed the importance of having Arabic letters available for clarity and to prevent confusion, a concern applicable to all Arab lists.

Beyadsi called on young people to assist the elderly in reaching polling stations, as some may need help with transportation or understanding the ballot papers. He stated that early voting and accompanying seniors are crucial steps to ensure maximum citizen participation, especially given expectations of potential attempts to suppress Arab voter turnout.

Regarding the atmosphere at polling stations, Beyadsi reported communication with field activists and noted cooperation among various parties to boost turnout and avoid disputes. Efforts are focused on encouraging participation and maintaining a calm, organized environment, while being prepared to counter any attempts to disrupt voting. Beyadsi concluded by reiterating that the priority is for citizens to vote for the sake of their children's future and to improve their circumstances.