Israel holds parliamentary elections: record turnout and uncertain outcome

Record turnout and a dispute over voting hours

On October 27, Israel held Knesset elections — the first parliamentary elections since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. A total of 7.3 million citizens are eligible to vote, and more than 30 parties competed for the 120 seats in parliament. According to the Central Elections Committee, by 7:00 pm, 74.3% of voters had cast their ballots — such a turnout level at that hour was recorded for the first time since the relevant statistics began being kept in 1973. The committee stressed that this is not the final turnout figure.

Exit polls: neither bloc wins a majority

Polls by major television channels give the opposition bloc around Eisenkot's Yashar party 52–53 mandates, while the bloc of incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, led by Likud, receives about 50. At least 61 of the 120 seats are needed to form a government, so, as Kun.uz notes, the outcome depends on the final results and subsequent coalition negotiations. According to DW, the Netanyahu and Eisenkot blocs, despite the record turnout, do not win a majority in the Knesset. Broken down by individual parties, Likud could become the largest force with 24–25 mandates, while Yashar is expected to get 21–22 seats. Exit polls are not the official election result.

Refusal to extend voting

On election day, the Central Elections Committee rejected Likud's request to extend the operating hours of polling stations, concluding that there was no need to continue voting after 10:00 pm. According to Israeli media, the Shas and Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) parties also requested an extension, citing queues at polling stations. Eisenkot's Yashar party opposed it, stating that no extraordinary circumstances had arisen that could justify an extension.