As of: February 27, 2024, 3:34 p.m
By: Lisa Mahnke
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The local elections in Israel get off to a successful start on the third attempt.
The war context is unsettling.
How the election is still organized.
Tel Aviv - After the vote was postponed twice because of the war in Israel, the local elections in Israel begin today, Tuesday.
More than seven million eligible voters are asked to cast their votes by late evening.
In addition to the city and community councils, new mayors are also appointed.
The official results are not expected to appear until next week.
It is expected that voter turnout in this year's local elections could be lower than before.
In evacuated areas on the edge of the Gaza Strip and on the border with Lebanon, the election will not be held until November 19th.
According to media reports, around 180,000 eligible voters are affected.
Police and home front command are supposed to ensure security during local elections
In Tel Aviv, long-time mayor Ron Chuldai is running against former economy minister Orna Barbivai, who is considered his rival.
Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, the right-wing conservative mayor Moshe Lion is expected to be re-elected.
Of the 801 people running for mayor,
only 83 are women, according to the
Times of Israel .
Due to fears of bombings at polling stations, Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel wants to
closely coordinate the Israeli Home Front Command and police "to hold a true democratic celebration," according to the
Times of Israel .
The Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip are also able to vote using voting boxes.
First feedback for Netanyahu and the Israeli government on war policy after the Hamas attack
Israeli President Izchak Herzog called on people to vote as part of his vote in Jerusalem.
The war in particular has shown that local elections have a “dramatic” impact on the lives of the Israeli population.
“In an emergency, we see communities, local authorities and councils dealing with a host of challenges of utmost importance,” said the president, referring to the Hamas attack on October 7th.
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Izchak Herzog (r) casts his vote in the local elections.
© picture alliance/dpa/GPO |
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The
Times of Israel
wrote that public opinion on the national government's policies before and after the Hamas attack could significantly influence the local elections.
The elections could therefore be different if those eligible to vote wanted to send a critical signal towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
(dpa/lismah)