The Central Elections Committee announced on Wednesday that it found no evidence indicating the integrity of the recent elections was compromised. This determination follows a comprehensive review of all inquiries submitted by political parties and members of the public. The official results are scheduled to be presented to President Isaac Herzog later in the day. Once presented, the results will be published in accordance with legal requirements.
The verification process was extensive, involving approximately 250 public-sector attorneys who worked alongside committee staff. These legal professionals conducted their reviews over a period of six days. The scale of the operation required the examination of protocols from 9,069 polling stations. Additionally, in-depth examinations of voting materials, ballots, and voter registries were performed where necessary to ensure accuracy.
The committee received a significant volume of requests for scrutiny. Specifically, 2,452 inquiries were submitted by political factions and candidate lists concerning 1,350 ballot boxes. Meanwhile, the general public submitted 1,239 inquiries regarding an additional 750 ballot boxes. The committee stated that all reported incidents were reviewed and investigated, with necessary corrections made to the records.
Justice Noam Sohlberg, the chairman of the CEC, described the effort as part of an unprecedented 'Election Integrity' operation. He noted that a record number of polling stations underwent thorough review. Sohlberg stated that the scope and quality of this operation demonstrate the committee's deep commitment to reflecting the will of the voters as accurately as possible. He commended everyone involved for their intensive and dedicated work.
Attorney Din Livne, the acting Director-General of the CEC, emphasized that every inquiry was examined on its own merit. Whether from political factions, candidate lists, or the public, each claim received individual attention. Livne affirmed that where corrections were required, they were implemented based on official records and voting materials.
Livne highlighted the responsibility the committee bears toward voters and participating lists. He said the goal was to thoroughly investigate every claim and make corrections where necessary. The findings were to be published with full transparency. He concluded by thanking the staff and legal team for their hard work in completing this oversight process.
According to Livne, the dedication of the team allowed the committee to present results that have been rigorously verified. He stated that these results accurately reflect the decision made by voters at the ballot box. The announcement marks the conclusion of the formal oversight phase before the official publication of the final numbers.
However, the announcement was not met with unanimous approval. Sagi Keisler, the Likud party’s Election Integrity Representative, responded by accusing the CEC of failing in its duties. Keisler claimed that hundreds of complaints were left unaddressed, specifically noting that 1,281 complaints remained unresolved.
Keisler also pointed to widespread failures and irregularities outside polling stations in the Arab sector. He criticized the leadership, stating that Justice Sohlberg would be remembered as someone who abandoned democratic values at a critical moment. This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the verification of the election results.
The story is developing, and further details may emerge as the official results are formally published. The CEC’s decision stands as the primary authoritative body’s assessment of the electoral process, despite the objections raised by certain political representatives.
