Likud and Otzma Yehudit Seek to Extend Election Voting Hours
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
The Likud and Otzma Yehudit parties have requested an extension of voting hours for the 26th Knesset elections due to high turnout and polling station congestion. Voter participation reached 55.7% by 4:00 PM, potentially exceeding 80% overall. The Central Elections Committee has the authority to grant extensions under special circumstances. The requests come as parties make a final effort to boost voter turnout.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Likud and Otzma Yehudit requested extending election voting hours past 10:00 PM.
- Voter turnout reached 55.7% by 4:00 PM, a record high for that time.
- High turnout and congestion at polling stations prompted the extension requests.
- The Central Elections Committee has the authority to approve any extension.
- Final turnout could potentially exceed 80% if the current pace continues.
The Likud party submitted a request to extend voting hours in the 26th Knesset elections, citing unusually high voter turnout and reported congestion at polling stations. The request was made at 5:30 PM on election day, with the party noting that 55.7% of eligible voters had cast their ballots by 4:00 PM, the highest rate ever recorded by that time. The acting director-general of the Central Elections Committee estimated that final turnout could exceed 80% if the high pace continued. Otzma Yehudit later joined Likud's request, also citing the congestion and long waits at polling stations. The decision to extend voting hours, which are legally set to close at 10:00 PM, rests with the authorized officials of the Central Elections Committee and can only be made under special circumstances. The calls for extension come amid a final push by parties to maximize turnout among their supporters, with significant participation also reported in Arab communities, adding to the political tension.
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