CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News /Agencies/ Bhopal: Political tension has increased in Israel after the election results. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party has accused Arab-led political parties of alleged rigging in the election and demanded an investigation. The party claims that incidents such as bribery, intimidation of voters, violence and ballot-related irregularities took place during the election process. However, these allegations have not been independently verified.
The Likud party has said it is presenting hundreds of testimonies and other evidence related to the alleged irregularities to Israel’s police, domestic security agency Shin Bet and the Central Elections Committee. The party alleged that activities such as distribution of cash to influence voters, interference in the voting process and use of prohibited software took place at some polling stations. It has demanded that the concerned agencies conduct a detailed investigation into the matter and take action against those found guilty.
The election committee is reviewing the complaints. Israel’s Central Elections Committee has received Likud’s complaint and is reviewing complaints related to possible irregularities in the election. However, the opening of an inquiry into the complaint does not mean that large-scale rigging in the election has been proved. Election officials had earlier questioned claims of widespread irregularities. On the other hand, some leaders of the Arab community have rejected Likud’s allegations, calling them political rhetoric.
The issue will also affect government formation. The better performance of Arab-led parties in Israel’s election results has made the arithmetic of government formation significant. Initial estimates indicated 53 seats for Netanyahu’s alliance, 48 seats for the opposition alliance and a total of 19 seats for Arab parties. A majority in the 120-member parliament requires 61 seats. In such a situation, talks on alliance formation and political tussles may intensify amid election complaints. The full position in the matter will become clear only after the final results and the findings of the investigation.
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