OMM Newsroom
Israel is holding its first general election since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. Many voters consider the vote one of the most important elections in the country’s history.
The Central Elections Committee said turnout reached 55.7% in the first nine hours of voting, AnewZ reported. That is the highest figure recorded at that point in an Israeli election.
Netanyahu highlights turnout in Arab communities
On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right coalition partners stepped up appeals to supporters on election day. Netanyahu pointed to long queues outside polling stations in Arab towns and said high turnout could help opposition forces remove his coalition from power.
Arab political leaders accused Netanyahu and his allies of seeking to stigmatize Arab voters. Ahmad Tibi said high turnout among Arab citizens could help bring about political change. Balad party leader Sami Abu Shahadeh called voter turnout a positive sign for democracy.
Polls indicate Netanyahu’s bloc could lose its parliamentary majority. However, it remains unclear whether opposition parties will win enough seats to form a government.
In a separate election update, the Central Elections Committee said turnout had reached 55.7% in the first nine hours. With six hours remaining before polls closed, the contest between Netanyahu and former army chief Gadi Eisenkot was described as close in an election many Israelis consider one of the most important in the country’s history.
Election forecasts offered cautious assessments of how high turnout might affect the results. Increased participation among Arab voters could limit gains by Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc, they said.
Voting and announcement of results
Israel’s main television channels will publish exit poll projections shortly after voting ends. The projections will offer an initial indication of how the rival blocs have performed, but they are not official results and may differ from the final count.
The Central Elections Committee will announce preliminary results overnight as ballots are counted at polling stations. Soldiers, diplomats, prisoners and people receiving treatment in hospitals vote using a “double-envelope” system; their ballots are counted separately.
The committee expects to complete the count of all votes, including these ballots, by Oct. 30. The certified official results are scheduled to be announced on Nov. 4.
The Central Elections Committee said voters still in line at the official closing time of 10 p.m. will be allowed to cast their ballots. As a result, voting may continue at some polling stations until everyone in line has voted.
A separate request by political parties to officially extend voting hours nationwide was rejected. Despite record turnout, the existing rules remain in force.
