Israel Election Commission Considers Extending Voting Hours Amid Record Turnout

Israel's Central Election Commission (CEC) is contemplating extending voting hours for the ongoing elections due to record voter turnout and significant queues at polling stations. The Likud party has formally requested an extension. Naomi Binyamini, a CEC representative, stated in an interview with Army Radio that the commission is monitoring the situation and may prolong voting past the scheduled 10:00 PM closing time if necessary. The Likud party's official appeal cited severe congestion and long lines at numerous polling stations as the reason for their request.

The final decision on extending voting hours is expected from the CEC chairman later in the evening, taking into account the on-the-ground conditions and the volume of voters before the planned closure. In response to the high turnout, the CEC has also instructed polling stations to expedite the voting process while adhering to regulations. Measures include allowing election officials to begin checking the documents of the next voter while the current one is still casting their ballot. Additionally, the CEC clarified that individuals with expired identity cards can still vote if their photograph is recognizable.

All voters who arrive at a polling station before its 10:00 PM closing time will be allowed to vote, even if they cast their ballot after the official closing due to queues. As of 4:00 PM, voter turnout reached 55.7%, significantly higher than the 47.5% recorded at the same time during the 2022 elections. This marks the highest turnout for this hour since hourly statistics began in 1973. Acting Director-General of the CEC, Din Livne, reported that over four million people had voted by 4:00 PM.

Among major cities, Modi'in reported the highest turnout at 60.7% by 4:00 PM, followed by Tel Aviv at 50.5%, Jerusalem at 47.7%, and Haifa at 46.3%.