Full coverage· Politics· Updated 12 Oct, 18:59

IDF to Establish Over 800 Polling Stations for Upcoming Election

The Israel Defense Forces is finalizing logistical preparations for the October 27 election to the 26th Knesset, deploying approximately 850 polling stations across all units and operational sectors. This represents an increase from the roughly 700 stations used in the previous election, a change driven by the growth in active forces and the scope of reserve duty.

15 newsrooms · 3 languages · since 11 Oct, 07:13

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IDF to Establish Over 800 Polling Stations for Upcoming Election — Illustration by baba

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What happened

01The IDF will establish approximately 850 polling stations for the October 27 Knesset elections, up from about 700 in the previous election.
02For the first time, soldiers actively serving beyond Israel's borders in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria will be able to cast their ballots.
03Early voting for conscripted and reserve soldiers will begin on October 20 and run for seven days until election day.
04Approximately 25% of the polling stations will be mobile units secured by armed military personnel during transit between outposts.
05Colonel Vered Ben Yehuda has been appointed as the IDF's Elections Officer to coordinate the voting operation.
06About 3,000 soldiers will be trained to manage the polling committees across the various military sectors.
07The IDF is enforcing strict regulations prohibiting active-duty soldiers from expressing political opinions or engaging in political discourse within their units.
08Election day will be a regular workday for the military, and all operational missions will continue as scheduled.

For the first time in history, soldiers actively serving beyond Israel's borders will be able to cast their ballots. Polling stations will be established in operational zones including Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria, as well as for forces stationed at sea and on missions abroad. Early voting for all conscripted and reserve soldiers will begin on the evening of October 20 and run for seven days leading up to the general election.

Approximately 75% of the military polling stations will be stationary, while the remaining 25% will be mobile units traveling between outposts according to a predetermined schedule. Each mobile station will be secured by an armed officer or non-commissioned officer, and the ballot boxes will remain locked during transit. Soldiers can vote at any military base or at their registered civilian polling station, utilizing a double-envelope system to verify eligibility and prevent duplicate voting.

Colonel Vered Ben Yehuda has been appointed as the IDF's Elections Officer to oversee the operation, which will involve training approximately 3,000 soldiers to serve on polling committees. The military has issued strict guidelines prohibiting active-duty personnel from engaging in political discourse, expressing political opinions, or influencing others within their units or on social media. Election day remains a regular workday for the military, and ongoing operations will continue.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 14 newsrooms. Updated 12 Oct, 21:08