Record Voter Turnout Sees High Participation in Arab Towns
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Voter turnout for the 26th Knesset elections hit a record 66.7% by 6:00 PM, a 9-point increase from the previous election, with high participation reported in Arab towns. Senior right-wing figures, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, urged supporters to vote and warned about wasted votes. The high turnout may affect parties near the electoral threshold, and the Likud party requested an extension of voting hours due to congestion.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Voter turnout reached a historic 66.7% by 6 PM, up 9 points from the last election.
- High participation was particularly noted in Arab communities and left-leaning areas.
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich warned against wasting votes on parties near the threshold.
- The Likud party requested an extension of voting hours due to long queues.
- Exit polls were expected around 10 PM, including one from News 14.
Voter turnout for the 26th Knesset elections reached a historic high of 66.7% by 6:00 PM, an increase of 9 percentage points compared to the same time in the previous election. This surge in participation, particularly noted in Arab communities and left-leaning areas, has prompted senior figures in the right-wing bloc to urge their supporters to vote.
Senior right-wing officials expressed concern over the high turnout in Arab towns and left-leaning localities, calling for increased participation among their own supporters. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich suggested that the elevated numbers were influenced by increased voting in these sectors and warned against wasting votes on parties that might not pass the electoral threshold. The high turnout could also impact smaller parties vying to enter the Knesset, as the 3.25% threshold requires more votes when the overall number of valid votes increases.
Most polling stations across the country were scheduled to remain open until 10:00 PM, with some smaller localities and special polling stations closing at 8:00 PM. Voters were advised to bring valid identification, such as an ID card, passport, or driver's license. Those in line before closing time would still be allowed to vote.
Following the close of polls, vote counting was set to begin, with television channels expected to release election exit polls around 10:00 PM, including a News 14 poll conducted by Shlomo Philber.
Amidst heavy congestion and long queues reported at some polling stations, the Likud party requested the Central Elections Committee to extend voting hours beyond 10:00 PM. The committee was reportedly considering this possibility to allow more voters to cast their ballots.
