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Israel Election Committee urges probe into possible election fraud

April 23, 2019 at 10:34 am

A man casts his vote during the Israeli general elections in Tel Aviv on 9 April 2019 [Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Anadolu Agency]

After a complaint filed by the Likud, the Israeli Election Committee yesterday called for opening an investigation into possible election fraud, Israeli media reported.

Head of the Elections Committee, who is the head of the Supreme Court Justice, Hanan Melcer said that he asked the Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and acting Israel Police chief Motti Cohen to open a criminal investigation into the alleged claims.

Melcer said in a letter that his request was made after evidence provided to him by Likud Member of the Knesset David Bitan, who is a loyal supporter for the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Most of the suspected fraud is expected to have taken place in cities with an Arab and Druze majority, where Likud monitors placed hidden cameras during the votes.

The Arab lists, which won the elections, rejected Melcer’s call for opening an investigation, accusing him of “reinforcing separation” between Arab and Jewish communities.

Up to 1.8 million Palestinians live in Israel. Referred to as Arab-Israelis, they make up 20 per cent of the country’s population.