Israel Election Timeline: From Ballots to Government Formation

Voting for Israel's 26th Knesset began at 7:00 AM, with results expected to start emerging later that night. However, the full picture and the formation of a new government will take considerably longer. Exit polls will be released at 10:00 PM, immediately after polling stations close, though some smaller settlements and special polling stations in hospitals, prisons, and nursing homes will close earlier, at 8:00 PM. The counting of ballots commences after polls close, with initial results anticipated around midnight. A clearer picture of the parliamentary balance is expected by Wednesday morning, though this will not be the final outcome. The crucial stage of counting double envelopes, which include votes from soldiers, prisoners, and other special categories, is projected to conclude by Thursday afternoon. The official results must be published by next Wednesday, November 4th, at the latest, within eight days of the election. This process determines the final distribution of the 120 Knesset seats, including calculations for surplus votes between parties that pass the electoral threshold. The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee then submits the official results to the President.

Following the official results, the President will consult with the faction representatives to determine who can form a government. The President has seven days from the publication of results to task a Knesset member with forming a government, not necessarily the head of the largest party or the one with the most recommendations. The chosen member has 28 days to form a coalition, with a possible extension of up to 14 days, totaling 42 days. If the first nominee fails, the President can task another member for a non-extendable 28-day period. If that also fails, a 21-day window opens for at least 61 Knesset members to propose a candidate. If no government is formed after these stages, new elections are triggered within 90 days.

The new Knesset is scheduled to convene for its first session and swear in its members on November 10th, two weeks after the election results are published. This swearing-in is independent of government formation, and the outgoing government continues to serve until a new one is established. Once a coalition agreement is reached, the designated prime minister-designate informs the President and the Knesset Speaker. The Knesset Speaker then schedules a vote of confidence, and the government officially takes office only after receiving parliamentary approval.