CEC denies Likud request for briefing on suspected interference before election results approved
The CEC chief rejected Likud's demand for an investigative briefing before the election results are approved and said the committee cannot block publication of the results.
The Central Elections Committee denied Likud's request for a briefing on suspected foreign interference before finalizing the election results, arguing that the outgoing parliamentary majority has no authority to withhold the publication of the outcomes. Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg emphasized that elections have results that are not contingent on the consent of the majority group in the outgoing Knesset.
He stated that granting the committee the power to block publication would contradict fundamental democratic principles. Likud accused Arab parties of "stealing" the election, leading to tensions between the two sides. Despite Likud's allegations, police investigations found no evidence to support the claims of a stolen election.
Likud's representative demanded detailed information about the suspicions and the investigation process, warning that approving the results without receiving this information would undermine the committee's duty to uphold the democratic process. Sohlberg rejected the demand and the premise that the investigation could provide grounds for the committee to withhold publication.
The committee's responsibility is limited to approving the calculations of valid votes and distribution of seats based on the statutory formula, not invalidating votes or deciding on the publication of results. Sohlberg cited specific provisions of the Basic Law that prevent the extension of a Knesset's term based on suspicions alone and require legislative support from at least 80 MKs for any such extension.
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