The High Court of Justice ruled unanimously Thursday that the second round of Knesset voting for state comptroller was tainted by a substantial flaw in ballot secrecy, annulling the vote and ordering a new election. The court stated that several MKs who documented their vote on video compromised the secret ballot process.
The High Court of Justice ruled unanimously Thursday afternoon (16:26 Jerusalem) that the second round of Knesset voting for state comptroller was invalid due to a substantial flaw in ballot secrecy, annulling the vote and ordering a new election. The court found that several MKs who documented their vote on video compromised the secret ballot process.
The Zioneer first reported the ruling at 16:26 Jerusalem citing Amit Segal (N12), and immediately updated with details: the court specified that the lack of secrecy was the reason for annulment, making the new election mandatory, and that the ruling forces the coalition to choose between recognizing the court's authority or risking a less favorable vote in the next Knesset. The unanimous nature of the decision was confirmed in subsequent updates.
The ruling comes after a series of legal challenges. As The Zioneer reported on June 8, the Israel Bar Association petitioned the High Court to cancel the election. On June 16, the Knesset's legal adviser acknowledged that self-recorded video raised concerns but saw no grounds to annul the results. The court froze the appointment on July 1, and the Movement for Quality Government welcomed the recommendation to annul the vote. During a hearing on June 18, the Knesset legal adviser argued that even requesting to self-film could disqualify a vote, and on June 28, the court heard that the Knesset had internally agreed not to ban phones at polling stations.
The court's ruling is binding, but the timing of the new vote remains unclear. The Knesset must now hold a fresh election for state comptroller, with the coalition facing a political dilemma as previously reported.
7 developments
- StrongHigh Court freezes state comptroller appointment; MK Tuchfeld blasts 'lunatic' ruling
- DevelopingWhat is expected to be decided about the new state comptroller vote
- ConfirmedIsrael Bar Association petitions High Court to cancel state comptroller election
- DevelopingMovement for Quality Government welcomes Knesset vote annulment, urges new comptroller election
Source and signal
- Internal intake