Lieberman Predicts Better Election Results Than Exit Polls Suggest
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, stated that final election results will be more optimistic than exit polls indicate, citing "double envelope" ballots from soldiers and reservists. He estimated these ballots hold 14-15 Knesset seats and could significantly change the preliminary outcome. Lieberman described his party's initial results as "acceptable" and advised waiting until Friday for a clearer picture.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avigdor Lieberman believes final election results will be more optimistic than exit polls.
- Lieberman highlighted "double envelope" ballots from soldiers and reservists as key.
- He estimated these special ballots contain 14-15 Knesset seats.
- Lieberman's party, Yisrael Beiteinu, is projected to win 4-9 seats based on exit polls.
- Final Knesset seat distribution will be known after counting all votes, including special ballots.
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, urged caution regarding the initial exit poll results from the recent elections, suggesting the final outcomes could be significantly more favorable than currently projected. Lieberman expressed doubt that all exit polls accurately reflect the actual vote count, highlighting the importance of "double envelopes", ballots cast by soldiers, reservists, and other eligible voters that are counted separately.
He estimated that these "double envelopes" contain between 14 and 15 Knesset seats, with the majority belonging to soldiers and reservists, not ultra-Orthodox or Arab parties. Lieberman believes the counting of these specific ballots has the potential to substantially alter the preliminary election picture. He advised patience until Friday, when more complete information will be available, leading to a "significantly more favorable and optimistic picture" than what is currently visible.
Regarding his own party's preliminary results, Lieberman described them as "quite acceptable, even slightly better." According to published exit polls, Yisrael Beiteinu is projected to win between 4 and 9 seats, depending on the television channel reporting the figures. The final distribution of seats in the Knesset will be determined after all votes, including those in the "double envelopes," are tallied.
