Turnout in Israel’s parliamentary election reached 44.9% by 2pm local time, the highest figure for that point in the day since comparable records began in 1973, Deutsche Welle reports, citing Israel’s Central Elections Committee. Voting is still under way on 27 October 2026.
According to the committee’s figures reported by DW, around 3.29 million people had cast their ballots. Around 7.3 million voters are eligible to take part in the election, which will determine the allocation of 120 seats in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
The record applies only to turnout recorded by 2pm, not the final proportion of eligible voters taking part. Most polling stations are due to close at 10pm local time. At this stage, there are no results establishing a winner or the final distribution of seats.
Voting for parties, not directly for a prime minister
DW describes Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party, and Gadi Eisenkot and his Yashar party, as the main rivals in the election. Israelis vote for party lists, however, rather than directly for a candidate for prime minister. According to DW, the electoral threshold is 3.25%.
High turnout during the day does not establish how individual parties will perform or what coalition might emerge. The 2pm figures show how many voters have taken part so far; the contest for seats can only be resolved once voting has ended and ballots have been counted.
