If someone had hoped that the upcoming elections in the chareidi city of Elad would pass with a fair battle and the familiar tools of Kol Korei and pashkavilim describing the various candidates, then that hope has apparently been shattered.

According to a report published by B’Chadrei Charedim, the Peleg Yerushalmi is behind the appeal submitted to Ayal Cohen, head of the election committee in Elad, to disqualify Yitzchak Pindrus the Degel Hatorah/Shas candidate for Mayor of the city. The group allegedly hired a private detective to discover that Pindrus spends the majority of his life in Yerushalayim and not Elad.

One person behind the appeal told B’Chadrei that: “The submission of our appeal against Pindrus is just one of the many links in the chain that we will bring forth in the coming days. It is inconceivable that a man like Pindrus would be allowed to run for Mayor. We are declaring war against Pindrus.”

According to the appeal filed, Pindrus is a member of the regional council in Jerusalem and even serves as the Deputy Mayor. He has not yet given up that job and he conducts his day-to-day life there, thus not adhering to rule 7 section 3 of the electoral legislation stating that the candidate for mayor needs to reside in the city for which he runs for office.

The opposition claims Pindrus has simply announced an address in the city, but he is not actually based in the city and therefore, is not qualified to run in the elections.

On Wednesday evening, it was revealed that private investigators had been stationed in front of Pindrus’ home on Shemaya Street, spending several days documenting his movements at his new home.

Kol Berama Radio’s Yisrael Cohen on Wednesday evening revealed a petition was filed with the Elad Election Committee seeking to disqualify Pindrus from the race. The petition includes reports from private investigators who were hired to monitor Pindrus’ new home and his actions. Petitioners claim to have proof that in reality, despite the address, Pindrus is not really living in the city.

While Pindrus is sleeping in the new apartment, his wife does not have too for she is not a candidate. However, Pindrus has informed the Jerusalem Municipality of his move, and it was filed in accordance to the law.

The bottom line is some opponents will try to prove that he simply changed his address but is not really living in Elad. Backers of Pindrus insist it is simply a petition filed out of frustration, hoping to have him removed from the race despite the fact that he has moved from Jerusalem to Elad.

In response to the petition, Degel Hatorah officials stated, “This is a baseless claim that proves the competitors fear Pindrus’ victory. Persons who don’t succeed in using accepted means are now trying to influence the outcome in tortuous ways”.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)