Likud and Allies Petition to Extend Election Voting Hours

On the day of Israel’s 26th Knesset election (October 27, 2026), the ruling Likud party submitted a formal request to the Central Elections Committee (CEC) to lengthen the legal voting period, which currently ends at 10 p.m. at most polling stations. The request was joined by Ofer Winter’s People of Israel, National-Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit, and the ultra-Orthodox Shas party. The petition argues that unusually long lines at numerous stations risk disenfranchising supporters of the right-wing bloc.

The Jerusalem PostTimes of IsraelThe Jerusalem Post

Polling stations across the country reported congestion, with especially long queues in Bedouin communities in the Negev and in Tel Aviv. At the same time, party leaders noted comparatively low turnout in Haredi and right-wing strongholds, contrasting with higher participation in left-wing and Arab areas—a pattern not seen since 1973. The CEC’s authority to modify voting hours rests with its chairman, Justice Noam Sohlberg.

The Jerusalem Post

• Legal voting hours: up to 10 p.m. at most stations (CEC rule).

Times of Israel

• Reported “massive lines” in Bedouin communities and Tel Aviv (source: Shas chairman).

The Jerusalem Post

• Turnout in left-wing and Arab sectors described as “high” and “deeply worrying” by Shas leadership.

The Jerusalem Post

Ofer Winter said his party’s representatives on the ground were observing “unusual crowding” at polling stations, prompting the request for an hour-long extension. Shas Chairman Arye Deri warned that complacency in Haredi and right-wing areas could deny supporters their right to vote and urged measures to keep polling stations open for those still waiting. Acting CEC director-general Dean Livne indicated that stations would remain open past 10 p.m. if voters were still in line. The final decision on any extension must be made by CEC Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg. The Yashar party, led by Gadi Eiskont, publicly opposed the extension request.

The Jerusalem Post

• “Our representatives on the ground are reporting unusual crowding at polling stations,” — Ofer Winter

The Jerusalem Post

• “I am very concerned about the apathy in the Haredi and right-wing strongholds,” — Shas Chairman Arye Deri, said shas chairman

The Jerusalem Post

• “There are massive lines at polling stations in Bedouin communities in the Negev and in Tel Aviv, yet, regrettably, in our own camp, among the Haredi and right-wing strongholds, there is a sense of complacency,” — Arye Deri, said shas chairman

The Jerusalem Post

Justice Noam Sohlberg is expected to rule on the petition shortly after the polls close. If an extension is granted, stations will stay open beyond the statutory 10 p.m. deadline until lines are cleared, as indicated by Dean Livne’s earlier comment. The outcome will affect the final vote tally for all parties competing in the October 27, 2026 election.

Times of Israel