Yisrael Beytenu, People of Israel claim polling stations missing ballots representing parties

Yisrael Beytenu and People of Israel filed complaints with the Central Elections Committee on Tuesday after reports that their ballot slips were missing at several polling stations during Israel's 26th Knesset election. The CEC said ballots were present at one disputed station. The CEC also rejected a separate claim about Likud tracking voters.

Yisrael Beytenu and People of Israel filed separate complaints with the Central Elections Committee on Tuesday after receiving reports that their ballot slips were missing at several polling stations after voting began in Israel's 26th Knesset election. Yisrael Beytenu reported that ballot slips bearing its electoral symbol were allegedly not placed at polling station No. 45 in Kiryat Ono when voting opened. The Central Elections Committee released a statement clarifying that the station in question had ballots for the party. People of Israel reported that ballot slips for the party were missing, and its headquarters had received reports from both military and civilian polling stations that its ballot slips had been turned over, making them appear to be blank voting slips. Earlier, the Central Elections Committee declared that claims circulating regarding Likud representatives in polling booths across the country illegally tracking voters using an app were false after B'Yachad issued a formal complaint. The CEC stated that an isolated report was received concerning photography at a polling station in Moshav Yarhiv, and the committee member who took the photographs understood her mistake after guidelines were explained. The Likud party denied any wrongdoing, stating that the party has set up booths outside of polling stations and that voters can volunteer relevant information. Polls opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday at 12,018 polling stations for the country's 7,331,981 eligible voters, with 36 lists competing for the Knesset's 120 seats.