Tel Aviv District Court Justice Orenstein on Thursday, 29 Iyar, ordered an immediate halt in counting votes in this week’s Histadrut National Labor Federation elections. Running for the top spot were incumbent Avi Nissankoren and MK (Machane Tzioni) Shelly Yacimovich.

Yacimovich, was backed by Shas in the race. She alleges widespread corruption in the election in addition to persons threatened with loss of employment if they do not reelect Nissankoren. She added that contrary to the law, Histadrut employees were working for the Nissankoren campaign in many capacities.

As the votes seem to seal her defeat in the race, she appeared before the Tel Aviv District Court with sufficient evidence for the court to order an immediate halt of vote counting to avoid irreversible damage to the outcome of the elections.

The court agreed to issue an immediate injunction to halt counting votes pending a session with both sides present later in the day Thursday. The court made a point of mentioning however, that issuing the temporary order is not a confirmation of wrongdoing as alleged.

In line with results released prior to the court order, 648 of 792 voting stations in residential areas were counted as well as 16 voting stations in workplaces. Based on the tabulated votes, it appears they represent 24.7% of voters nationwide showing 59.01% for Nissankoren and 40.99% for Yacimovich.

UPDATED:

The Tel Aviv District Court held another session on Thursday, and decided that the counting of votes would continue. Only when this is completed will allegations will be heard.

Yacimovich is hoping to call for new elections, stating she has documented literally thousands of complaints from different polling stations including the mysterious disappearance of votes.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)