Central Election Committee Approves Polling Stations in Nursing Homes for Knesset Vote

The Central Election Committee has approved the placement of 159 polling stations in nursing homes and assisted living facilities ahead of the 26th Knesset elections. This decision follows petitions submitted to the Supreme Court by senior citizens, the Association of Elderly Organizations, and the Marva Association, after the coalition failed to pass a dedicated arrangement to allow polling stations in these institutions as had been customary in previous elections. The committee informed the Supreme Court that the petitions were now moot, citing existing legal authority for the decision.

The absence of a formal arrangement had left residents of these institutions, including elderly individuals confined to wheelchairs and walkers, without practical means to reach their registered polling stations. Petitioners argued that the previous arrangement was canceled without professional justification from relevant authorities who had sought its continuation. Representatives of the petitioners called the approval a significant achievement that enables many senior citizens to exercise their voting rights, but noted that about 100 additional polling stations were not approved due to political considerations.

Attorney Yuval Yoaz, representing the petitioners, stated that the partial solution remains inadequate and reflects a real harm to tens of thousands of citizens who will be unable to participate in the elections.