Voting begins in Israel's Knesset elections

Israel is choosing a new composition of its parliament

On October 27, voting in Israel's Knesset elections — a 120-seat parliament — began. According to The National, polling stations opened at 7:00 local time, and about 7.3 million Israelis are eligible to vote. Thirty-six parties are running, but most of them are unlikely to clear the 3.25% electoral threshold required to enter parliament.

How the voting is organized

In addition to regular polling stations, special voting points opened at 8:00 in small communities, hospitals, prisons and nursing homes — voting there follows a shortened schedule and will end at 20:00. Main polling stations will close at 22:00, and voters who are still in line at closing time will still be able to cast their ballots. Turnout figures will be published throughout the day, providing an early indication of voter activity.

When the results will be known

After the main polling stations close at 22:00, Israeli television channels are expected to publish exit polls — a first estimate of the balance of power. Preliminary results will emerge as votes are counted overnight, while the final results will take about another week. The outlet calls these elections a significant moment for the entire Middle East; the final composition of the government will only be known after the count and coalition talks are completed, the course of which cannot yet be predicted based on available information.