Likud Urges Central Election Committee to Extend Nationwide Voting Hours
Likud, Otzma Yehudit, and Shas urged Central Election Committee Chairman Noam Solberg to extend voting hours nationwide due to heavy turnout and rain, a move opposed by Gadi Eisenkot.
The Likud party filed an urgent request on Tuesday with Central Election Committee Chairman Judge Noam Solberg, calling for extended voting hours across all polling stations nationwide. The motion was subsequently backed by Otzma Yehudit and Shas, while MK Gadi Eisenkot strongly opposed the measure.
In the petition submitted via attorney Ilan Bombach, Likud cited severe congestion and unusually long lines reported at polling stations throughout the country, raising concerns that numerous citizens might be unable to cast their ballots before closing time. The party also pointed to adverse rainy weather and prolonged waiting times as factors that could deter remaining voters from heading out.
Otzma Yehudit and Shas joined the appeal, emphasizing the heavy turnout and exceptional delays at voting booths. Conversely, the Yashar! party led by Gadi Eisenkot rejected the push, issuing a sharp statement accusing Likud of attempting to manufacture pretexts for challenging election integrity.
Under Section 70A of the Knesset Elections Law, the Central Election Committee chairman and deputies may extend voting hours under special circumstances. The election committee presidency was scheduled to review the petition at 19:15.
