High Court demands Central Elections Committee ensure accessibility for elderly voters

The High Court of Justice on Tuesday evening ordered the Central Elections Committee to take urgent measures to ensure accessibility to polling stations for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and to report back within six days. The justices, headed by President Isaac Amit, criticized the committee's decision not to place polling stations in nursing homes, contrary to previous elections, ruling that it harms the democratic right of the elderly. The committee was required to update the court by Monday, August 17.

The High Court of Justice on Tuesday evening called on the Central Elections Committee to "do everything possible" to ensure accessibility to polling stations for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the upcoming elections, and to report to the court within six days. The decision was made during a hearing on petitions filed against the committee, after it decided not to place polling stations in nursing homes, contrary to previous elections. The panel of justices, headed by Supreme Court President Isaac Amit, expressed regret over the decision, ruling that it "sets back the right to participate in elections" and may harm the democratic right of the elderly. The committee was required to submit an update by Monday, August 17. The article also includes the story of Ruthi Schlesinger, a 90-year-old resident who uses a wheelchair, expressing a sense of harm to her dignity: "I always had my dignity - and today the state is taking that too." Schlesinger is one of tens of thousands of residents struggling against the decision, who see it as a basic question of accessible and dignified voting rights.