Jerusalem:Polling stations for Israel's 26th Knesset elections closed at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, marking a record high voter turnout.
According to Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA – English, around 5.5 million voters had cast their ballots by 8 p.m., representing 74.3% of eligible voters. This turnout was an increase of eight percentage points compared to the 66% recorded at the same time during the previous elections in 2022.
Among Palestinians inside Israel, turnout had exceeded 75% by 9 p.m., as reported by informed sources in the Joint List's campaign. Polling stations across Israel had opened earlier in the day for elections to the 120-seat Knesset, with 36 electoral lists vying for positions.
According to figures from Israel's Central Elections Committee, approximately 7.33 million people were eligible to vote. The elections operate under a proportional representation system, requiring electoral lists to secure at least 3.25% of valid votes to qualify for seats. Surplus-vote agreements between lists can also influence the allocation of remaining seats.