Likud Seeks to Extend Voting Hours Amid High Turnout
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
The Likud party has requested an extension of voting hours for the 26th Knesset elections due to a significant increase in voter turnout. As of 4:00 PM, 55.7% of eligible voters had participated, an 8.2% increase from the previous election. High turnout was noted in Arab communities, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to urge his supporters to vote. The party awaits a decision on its request.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The Likud party requested an extension of voting hours for the 26th Knesset elections.
- Voter turnout reached 55.7% by 4:00 PM, an 8.2% increase from the 2022 elections.
- High voter turnout was reported in several Arab communities.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Likud supporters to vote due to high Arab turnout.
- Most polling stations are scheduled to close at 10:00 PM.
The Likud party announced Tuesday it has requested an extension of voting hours for the 26th Knesset elections, citing a significant surge in voter turnout. The request comes just hours before polls were scheduled to close, amidst reports of unusually high participation in Arab communities and intensified efforts by party headquarters to mobilize voters.
As of 4:00 PM, 55.7% of eligible voters, totaling 4,085,075 citizens, had cast their ballots. This represents an 8.2 percentage point increase compared to the same time during the 25th Knesset elections in 2022, when turnout was 47.5%. Official data for 5:00 PM had not yet been verified.
Reports indicate exceptionally high turnout in several Arab towns, with participation rates reaching 64.1% in Atawana, 47.9% in Qasr al-Sar, and 47.8% in Qabatiya. Long queues were also observed in Arab communities in the north and the Triangle region, as well as at polling stations in Tel Aviv.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an emergency appeal to Likud voters, expressing concern over high turnout in Arab society. He claimed that Arab voter turnout in the south was significantly higher than in Jewish communities and urged his supporters to go to the polls. These statements were part of the party's strategy to boost its own voter turnout in the remaining hours.
Most polling stations are scheduled to close at 10:00 PM, with some operating on a shortened schedule closing at 8:00 PM. Voters in line before closing time will still be allowed to cast their ballots. The Likud is awaiting a decision on its request, as the high turnout and varying participation levels remain central to the election day narrative.
