Watchdog Group Suspects Vote Buying, Monitoring in Arab and Bedouin Towns
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
The watchdog group 'Ad Kan' released findings alleging vote-buying and voter monitoring in Arab and Bedouin towns during the recent Knesset elections. The investigation, based on 488 testimonies, suggests offers of money and fuel cards for votes, and the recording of voter details outside polling stations. 'Ad Kan' noted a significant surge in turnout in these areas and is calling for a delay in government formation pending a full investigation.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Watchdog group 'Ad Kan' alleges vote buying and monitoring in Arab and Bedouin towns.
- Investigation claims hundreds of testimonies point to offers of money and fuel cards for votes.
- Voter turnout in 128 examined towns reportedly surged by 26.6 percentage points.
- Allegations include recording voter details and using an app for illicit vote tracking.
- 'Ad Kan' calls for a delay in government formation until the investigation is complete.
The watchdog organization 'Ad Kan' has published preliminary findings from an investigation into the 26th Knesset elections, alleging evidence of vote-buying and voter monitoring in Arab and Bedouin communities. The organization claims to have gathered 488 testimonies from poll committee members and observers, along with interviews and documented evidence, suggesting that money and fuel cards were offered in exchange for votes. Some testimonies reportedly describe offers of hundreds of shekels and demands for voters to photograph their ballots to verify their choice.
'Ad Kan' also suspects that registration and monitoring stations were operated outside polling stations, where voters' identification numbers and serial numbers were allegedly recorded. The organization further raised concerns about the potential illicit use of the "Al-Muwahda" application for tracking votes. These allegations stem from an investigation that included interviews with individuals from Arab and Bedouin society and the Islamic Movement, as well as analysis of social media and voting data.
The investigation highlighted a significant increase in voter turnout in 128 examined Arab and Bedouin towns, rising from 53.7% in the 2022 elections to 80.28% in the 2026 elections, according to 'Ad Kan's analysis of Central Elections Committee data. This represents an approximate 26.6 percentage point increase. A separate review of 117 towns found that 104 experienced a voter increase of over 40% compared to the previous election.
In light of these findings and existing arrests for alleged election bribery, 'Ad Kan' is urging law enforcement to investigate the source of funds, the purchasers of fuel cards, and the handling of previous complaints. The organization stated that, to its knowledge, the fuel cards found have not yet been cross-referenced with fuel companies. "We are not asking to disqualify votes based on statistical data, but to investigate what actually happened," said 'Ad Kan' CEO Avichai Shorshan. The organization is calling for the government's formation to be delayed until the investigation is complete.
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