Israeli Pollster Halts Forecasts Ahead of Election Amid Strict Secrecy

Ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections, pollster Shlomo Filber announced on Monday that he will no longer provide forecasts or assessments regarding the election results. In a post on X, Filber stated that he has entered a strict blackout protocol, urging citizens to vote and tune in to election night coverage.

Filber's announcement follows a heated electoral campaign marked by stark disparities between different polling firms. While recent surveys by major television outlets projected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party securing around 19 mandates, Filber's recent polling painted a significantly different picture, granting Likud up to 30 mandates.

Meanwhile, security and confidentiality measures around election night broadcasts have intensified. Employees working on the exit polls were required to sign strict non-disclosure agreements, prohibiting the sharing of sensitive information with unauthorized individuals, including family members and politicians.

The confidentiality protocols mandate that any breach, even through negligence, could result in severe disciplinary action, including termination and legal liability. The measures are designed to protect the integrity of the broadcast and maintain public trust as the country prepares to cast its ballots.