Central Election Committee Approves Polling Stations in Nursing Homes Without Knesset Law

The Central Election Committee approved the placement of 159 polling stations in nursing homes and assisted living facilities for Israel's 26th Knesset elections. This decision came after petitions were filed to the Supreme Court demanding a solution to enable elderly citizens to vote near their residences. The committee informed the court that with this approval, the petitions were rendered unnecessary.

The petitions were submitted by dozens of senior citizens, the Association of Elderly Organizations, and the Marva Association, following the coalition's failure to pass a legislative arrangement allowing polling stations in such facilities. This arrangement had been in place during the previous two election cycles, partly due to COVID-19 considerations. Without this arrangement, many elderly residents, including those in wheelchairs or dependent on assistance, faced practical barriers to reaching their designated polling stations outside their living facilities.

Petitioners argued that the cancellation of the arrangement occurred despite professional support within the Election Committee and without any professional justification. After the Supreme Court urged the committee to urgently find a solution, the committee approved the 159 polling stations. Legal representatives for the petitioners included attorneys Yuval Yoaz, Giora Ardinast, and others.

Attorney Yuval Yoaz stated that while the committee's efforts within existing legislation are commendable, the partial solution still leaves tens of thousands of elderly citizens unable to exercise their democratic right to vote. Petitioners expressed disappointment that approximately 100 additional polling stations were not approved due to political considerations, emphasizing the importance of enabling seniors to vote without struggle.