Israel Prepares for Knesset Elections with Extensive Polling Operations
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Over 7.3 million Israelis are eligible to vote in the 26th Knesset elections at 12,018 polling stations, including those in hospitals, prisons, and abroad. The Central Elections Committee has implemented extensive measures for accessibility and security, printing 450 million ballots. The military is operating 850 polling stations, with mobile units serving soldiers in remote locations. Public transportation is free to aid voter turnout.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Over 7.3 million Israelis are eligible to vote in the 26th Knesset elections.
- 12,018 polling stations are operational across Israel, with many designated as accessible.
- Military personnel can vote at 850 polling stations, including mobile units near the border.
- 101 polling stations are available for Israelis voting at diplomatic missions abroad.
- 450 million ballots were printed for 37 competing lists after one withdrew.
Israel's Central Elections Committee has finalized preparations for the 26th Knesset elections, with over 7.3 million eligible voters set to cast their ballots at 12,018 polling stations nationwide. This marks an increase of approximately 8% in the number of voters compared to the previous election in November 2022. Among the electorate, over 618,000 individuals will be voting for the first time.
Special arrangements have been made to ensure accessibility and accommodate various voter groups. More than half of the polling stations, totaling 6,209, are designated as accessible, with an additional 3,621 offering special accessibility features for those with mobility issues. Furthermore, 255 polling stations are located in hospitals and institutions for individuals with mobility limitations, and 57 are situated in prisons and detention centers. Five polling stations have been allocated for evacuees displaced due to security concerns, who can vote at any station designated for voters with mobility impairments.
The military has established approximately 850 polling stations, with about a quarter of them being mobile units that travel to remote outposts, bases, and even vessels at sea to allow soldiers to vote without leaving their posts. These mobile stations will operate beyond the border as well. Soldiers can vote at military polling stations or their registered civilian ones, with their votes being double-enveloped and sent to the Central Elections Committee for counting.
Abroad, 101 polling stations have been set up in 99 Israeli diplomatic and consular missions. The Central Elections Committee printed 450 million ballots, approximately 11.5 million for each of the 37 competing lists, after one list, "Achi" of Rabbi Aberjil, withdrew from the race following negotiations led by Minister Yoav Kisch at the request of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Election integrity is being monitored by election purity supervisors at every counting station, and around 15,000 cameras are deployed to document the voting and counting process. To facilitate voter access, 660 intercity public transportation lines and all Israel Railways lines are operating free of charge.
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