53-seat count: Election committee rejects Likud bid to delay results

The Central Elections Committee has formally rejected Likud's demand to delay the publication of the national election results.

Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg addressed the party's request in a letter sent to committee deputy chairman attorney Ilan Bombach on Monday. Sohlberg stated that the final count does not require the consent of the outgoing parliamentary majority. He argued that allowing the committee to block publication would contradict fundamental democratic principles by effectively extending the term of the current Knesset.

The dispute arose after Likud leaders accused Arab parties of stealing the election. The party called on other political groups to avoid relying on Arab representatives for government formation or the selection of the Knesset speaker. Police officials noted that they lacked investigative or intelligence support for these specific claims of a stolen election.

The completed vote count assigned 53 seats to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc. This total is one seat short of a parliamentary majority. The official results are scheduled for publication and submission to President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday.

Bombach requested an urgent leadership meeting involving Shin Bet Director David Zini before the Wednesday session. He sought details on the suspicions, investigative steps, and findings regarding foreign interference. Bombach argued that the uncertainty surrounding the scope of these allegations prevented committee members from approving the results without further review. He noted that members could sign confidentiality agreements to handle classified materials.

Sohlberg rejected the request for an investigative briefing, stating it fell outside the authority of the committee's leadership and plenum. He warned that disclosing information beyond what was already public could disrupt the ongoing investigation by the Shin Bet, police, and State Attorney's Office.

Citing Section 11 of Basic Law: The Knesset, Sohlberg emphasized that election results must be published in the official gazette within eight days of the vote. He said no authority was granted discretion to disregard this deadline. The full committee's role is limited to approving the calculations of valid votes and seat distribution based on statutory formulas. Neither the chairman nor the full committee has the power to invalidate votes or decide that results will not be published.

Sohlberg noted that those entitled to challenge the results may do so in court under existing legal conditions. He characterized Bombach's request as a move to extend the Knesset term based on unconfirmed suspicions. Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot accused Likud and Netanyahu of attacking the legitimacy of the results and the elections committee, describing their conduct as a direct attack on Israeli democracy.