Jerusalem, Oct 27 (PTI) From thousands of accessible polling stations to a nationwide network of cameras and free intercity transport, Israel has put in place an extensive logistical operation for Tuesday’s parliamentary elections, with more than 7.3 million eligible voters set to choose the 120-member Knesset.
Dean Livne, acting director general of the Central Elections Committee (CEC), said the independent statutory body responsible for organising and supervising elections had prepared 12,018 polling stations and 18,000 ballot boxes across the country.
A total of 7,336,553 voters are eligible to cast their ballots, with 6,209 accessible polling stations set up across Israel, he said.
Around 100,000 personnel, including officials and election workers, were deployed on Tuesday, while 1,500 staff had been working during the election preparation period, Livne said.
The CEC has allocated a budget of 690 million shekels (around USD 223 million) for the 26th Knesset elections.
Its preparations also include 12 million voting envelopes and 250 tonnes of paper for ballot materials.
Around 15,000 cameras will be used by electoral integrity inspectors to monitor polling stations and document the voting and counting processes, Livne said.
The safeguards focus on protecting the secrecy of the ballot and ensuring freedom of choice.
Voting arrangements are designed to prevent anyone from determining how an individual has voted, while inspectors will monitor attempts to pressure, threaten or unduly influence voters behind the voting screen.
The voting screen and sealed, opaque envelope form a key part of the system, preventing others from seeing a ballot’s contents and helping protect voters from social or community pressure.
Special arrangements have also been made for more than 600,000 voters who may be unable to vote at their designated polling stations, including soldiers, diplomats and hospitalised persons.
They can cast their ballots through an outer-envelope system, with checks intended to prevent duplicate voting and ensure equal participation.
Around 50,000 election workers have undergone training at approximately 2,140 venues, Livne said.
To facilitate voting, the CEC has arranged free travel on 660 intercity public transport routes on election day, including all Israel Railways services.
Israel follows a nationwide proportional representation system, with the entire country treated as a single constituency to elect the 120 members of the Knesset (Israeli parliament).
Voters choose from closed party lists rather than individual candidates, with 34 parties contesting the election this time. A party must secure at least 3.25 per cent of the vote to enter parliament, a threshold that requires it to win at least four seats.
The proportional system allows multiple parties to gain representation and encourages smaller political groups to form alliances.
The Knesset normally serves a four-year term, but elections can be held early if parliament votes to dissolve itself, the state budget is not approved within the prescribed period, or a government cannot be formed.
The party winning the most seats does not automatically form the government. After the results are announced, President Isaac Herzog will consult political factions and appoint a lawmaker considered to have the best chance of forming a coalition.
The nominee has up to 42 days to assemble a government with the support of at least 61 lawmakers. If the attempt fails, another candidate may be given the opportunity.
If no government can be formed, the country may have to hold another election.
The polling, which began at 7 am local time, will close at 10 pm local time, with exceptions for smaller communities and special locations.
Television exit polls are expected after voting closes, providing the first indication of the result.
A clearer picture may emerge within hours, but coalition arithmetic could delay certainty if no party or bloc secures a clear majority. The final tally is expected by Friday, while the official results are scheduled for publication on November 4.
Coalition negotiations can take weeks, with smaller parties potentially playing a decisive role in determining which bloc can command a majority in the Knesset. PTI FHK SCY SCY
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