Record Turnout in Israeli Elections: 77.7% Voted by Poll Closing

Final turnout figures for the 26th Knesset elections indicate an exceptionally busy voting day, with the Central Elections Committee officially reporting that 77.7% of eligible voters cast their ballots by the 10:00 PM poll closing time. A total of 5,695,682 citizens exercised their right to vote. This represents a significant increase of approximately 7.1% compared to the closing figures from the previous election and marks the highest turnout recorded at this hour in about half a century, since the 1999 elections. The Elections Committee congratulated the public on the high participation and thanked all voters and polling station staff across the country. With the closing of polling stations, the voting phase concluded, and the counting and verification of ballots commenced. Official results are expected to be released gradually throughout the night and into the next day.