123,351 registered members of Likud may today cast a ballot in the party’s primary election in one of 132 polling stations nationwide. Polls opened at 09:00 and close at 22:00. Registered voters will use the new computerized system to select 12 names from a list of 97.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in a recorded message released on motzei shabbos called on registered voters via a robocall to registered party members to cast a ballot towards determining the character of Likud and the nation in the years ahead. In reality, the first 20-25 names are viewed as realistic as the party is not expected to earn more seats in the upcoming 11 Shevat 5773 national election.

Likud officials add that as a result of the new computerized voting, one may vote in any polling station regardless of one’s address.

Likud officials’ reports a number of polling stations experienced computer glitches during the morning hours. When Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin arrived at the Jerusalem Convention Center polling station to vote he was unable to do so due to the computer issues. Long lines were reported at many polling stations as a result of the computer problems.

At about noon, Education Minister Gideon Saar called to close the election down after learning of widespread computer failure nationwide and “thousands of voters are waiting to cast their ballot but are unable to do so”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)