Likud's legal adviser, attorney Ilan Bombach, has called on Central Elections Committee chair Justice Hanan Solberg to cancel his ruling barring party representatives from reporting who has voted at polling stations, calling the decision erroneous, as reported by N12's Daphna Liel.
Likud legal adviser attorney Ilan Bombach formally requested that Central Elections Committee chair Justice Hanan Solberg cancel his ruling barring party representatives from using apps to report voter turnout at polling stations, calling the decision 'erroneous.' The request, reported by N12's Daphna Liel, is the latest escalation in the party's response to the ban, which was issued Tuesday evening. Earlier Thursday, Likud issued a series of statements: first, spokesman Guy Levi vowed to fight the ruling by all legal means, followed by an urgent request for reconsideration, then a call for Solberg to re-examine the decision, and finally the formal call to cancel, first reported by N12's Amit Segal. Bombach's specific request adds the legal adviser's direct endorsement of the party's position.
Justice Solberg's ruling, issued on Tuesday, Aug 4, at 19:25 Jerusalem, prohibits party representatives at polling stations from using apps that incentivize voter turnout to report who has voted, citing privacy violations. The ruling sparked immediate political backlash. As The Zioneer reported Tuesday, Likud was considering petitioning the High Court against the ban. On Wednesday, attorney Shahar Ben Meir filed a request with the Privacy Protection Authority to ban election management apps entirely, following Solberg's ruling. A senior coalition official also criticized the directive, arguing it harms the voting rights of the elderly, sick, and disabled who rely on transportation to polling stations.
The Zioneer reported earlier this week that Likud had petitioned the Election Committee to ban hosting voters, citing bribery prevention, in a separate but related move by Bombach. The current dispute centers on the legality and privacy implications of voter-turnout monitoring apps, which parties use to track which voters have not yet cast ballots and mobilize supporters.
The ruling remains in effect unless overturned by the committee or the High Court. Likud has not yet filed a High Court petition, and Solberg has not publicly responded to the party's requests.
4 developments
- StrongSolberg bans party reps from using voter-turnout incentive apps, citing privacy
- StrongLikud petitions Election Committee to ban hosting voters, citing bribery prevention
- DevelopingAttorney asks privacy authority to ban election apps after Solberg ruling
- DevelopingLikud submits legal defense of Ravilo appointment to High Court
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