{
  "id": 16763543,
  "title": "Likud, Shas, Otzma Yehudit push to extend voting hours amid reports of congested polling stations",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/likud-shas-otzma-yehudit-push-to-extend-voting-hours-amid-reports-of",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-27T16:16:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-election-2026/article-913050"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Likud, Shas, and Otzma Yehudit parties are petitioning the Central Elections Committee to extend voting hours due to long lines at polling stations. Shas Chairman Arye Deri expressed concern about voter apathy in Haredi and right-wing areas. Voter turnout in left-wing and Arab strongholds has been exceptionally high, raising alarm. The weather may also be a factor in the decision to extend voting hours. The Yashar party opposes the request, stating there is no justification for extending voting hours, suggesting it could be a ploy to challenge the election's legitimacy, similar to allegations made by Netanyahu.",
  "summary": "Likud, Shas, and Otzma Yehudit have called for extended voting hours, though only CEC Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg can decide to extend voting hours.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Likud requests extension to voting hours beyond 10pm",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/likud-requests-extension-to-voting-hours-beyond-10pm",
        "published": "2026-10-27T16:07:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}