Likud Challenges Ban on Party Observers Tracking Voters in Polling Stations

Ahead of the upcoming elections, the Likud party is submitting a request for reconsideration to the chairman of the Elections Committee, Noam Solberg, regarding his decision to prohibit party observers from reporting voters' identities at polling stations. This move follows coalition criticism of Solberg's ruling, which halted the use of apps that parties employ to encourage voters who have not yet cast their ballots to come to the polls. Solberg justified the ban by stating that this method infringes on voter privacy.

The appeal will be filed through attorney Ilan Bombach. The decision targets the use of applications that allow party representatives at polling stations to update in real time which voters have already voted, enabling parties to identify and mobilize those who have not yet voted. Solberg ruled that sharing information about the act of voting, including the time and type of polling station, violates privacy laws and is not permitted under the Privacy Protection Law. He emphasized that election laws do not authorize party representatives to transmit such information for party activities, and without explicit authorization, such data sharing is forbidden.

This ruling came after a petition by attorney Shahar Ben Meir, supported by the Privacy Protection Clinic at Tel Aviv University, which argued that the practice violates voters' privacy and the secrecy of the ballot by allowing parties to monitor voter participation in real time. Prior to the decision, Knesset factions were asked to present their positions. Likud, Shas, and United Torah Judaism argued that the practice does not violate the law, with Religious Zionism joining Likud's stance. Other factions did not present a substantive position on the matter.