Israel election: Eisenkot accuses Netanyahu of preparing to challenge results
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on L’essentiel
Gadi Eisenkot’s centrist Yashar party accuses Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of preparing to challenge the results if he loses the legislative election. Turnout stood at 44.9%, or 3.29 million voters, by 2pm, a record for that time since records began in 1973, according to the Election Commission cited by AFP.
The centrist Yashar party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of preparing to challenge the results of the legislative election if he loses. The party says the prime minister is “laying the groundwork” after accusing others of attempting to “steal the election”, AFP reports.
Benjamin Netanyahu urged voters to support his Likud party, denouncing the opposition and Israeli Arab parties. Gadi Eisenkot said his camp had to beat Likud “by a considerable margin” to prevent any challenge to the vote.
By 2pm, 3.29 million voters, or 44.9% of those registered, had voted, according to the Election Commission. This was the highest midday turnout since these figures began to be recorded in 1973. Human rights organisation Adalah also reported delays in voting by Israeli Arab citizens, a lack of Arabic-language ballots at some polling stations and the closure of polling stations.
The vote comes after Gadi Eisenkot threatened Netanyahu’s majority on 26 October. Israeli voters are going to the polls on 27 October to choose between Netanyahu and his rival Gadi Eisenkot.
