Likud Primary Polls Close With 54% Turnout, Results Expected August 20

The Likud party's primary elections officially concluded on Monday evening after a full day of voting, with approximately 76,068 party members casting ballots, representing a 54% turnout. This figure may slightly increase as voters who entered polling stations before closing time were allowed to complete their votes. The polls opened at 10:00 AM and closed at 8:00 PM, following the schedule set by the Likud election committee.

The voting aimed to determine the party's candidate list for the upcoming 26th Knesset elections. Around 140,000 members were eligible to vote in these primaries, which followed weeks of internal competition over candidate rankings, district slots, and positions for incumbent ministers and Knesset members.

Despite the polls closing, final results are not expected until August 20, according to the official timeline. After the results are announced, there will be a window until August 23 to file any appeals. The vote count will reveal which incumbents secure top spots, who is pushed down, and which newcomers make the list.

Likud officials noted the turnout represents a roughly 10% increase compared to the same voting hours in the previous primaries, though the total number of voters is lower due to fewer voting hours this time. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sarah participated in the voting earlier in the day, encouraging party members to cast their ballots.

The primary results will shape the Likud's candidate slate for the next national elections, with significant attention on the internal power dynamics and candidate placements within the party.