Election Committee Adjusts Rules Amid Heavy Voting Delays

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Israel's Central Election Committee has updated voting procedures to address heavy congestion and long lines at polling stations during the 26th Knesset elections. New guidelines allow for simultaneous voter identification and voting preparation, and prioritize individuals with disabilities. The committee warned poll workers that failure to manage crowds could result in dismissal, as over 7.3 million Israelis vote at 12,018 stations.

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Election Committee changed rules due to heavy voting congestion and long lines.
Voters can now be identified while the previous person votes behind the curtain.
Expired ID cards will be accepted if the photo is clear and recognizable.
Voters with disabilities will receive immediate priority at polling stations.
Poll secretaries failing to manage crowds face dismissal from their posts.

Due to significant congestion at polling stations across Israel on Tuesday, the Central Election Committee has revised its guidelines for poll station secretaries. The changes were prompted by appeals from several Knesset members and numerous complaints regarding long queues. The new directive permits poll workers to begin identifying the next voter in line while the current voter is still behind the curtain, aiming to expedite the voting process.

Further adjustments include allowing voters to enter the polling station and approach the curtain while the previous voter is finishing with the secretary, and processing envelope signatures efficiently without causing delays. Voters with disabilities are to be given immediate priority and allowed to enter with a companion if needed. The committee also clarified that voters should not be delayed due to expired identification cards, as long as the photo is clear and recognizable.

The Central Election Committee's CEO issued a stern warning to poll secretaries, stating that any secretary failing to prevent congestion would be removed from their post. This comes amid reports of severe overcrowding at many polling stations, leading to extended wait times. While the committee had considered extending polling hours in some areas, the decision was made to implement procedural changes instead.

These adjustments are being made during the elections for the 26th Knesset, with 7,331,981 eligible voters casting ballots at 12,018 polling stations nationwide. Most stations opened at 7:00 AM and are scheduled to close at 10:00 PM. The election integrity oversight system includes approximately 15,000 cameras and ongoing checks.