Likud panel extends primaries after computer snafus snarl voting

The election committee of the Likud decided on Sunday to extend voting to a second day in the party primary because technical problems plagued its computerized polling stations as members chose their list of Knesset candidates for the January 22 elections.

The technical problems, recorded at some 80 stations around the country, caused some potential voters to go home without being able to cast their votes.

The committee voted to add voting on Monday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., with the results now scheduled to be announced two hours after polls close.

Despite the problems, polling stations reported record turnout, with some 52 percent of party members casting ballots as of Sunday evening.

Education Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the primaries should be called off altogether and rescheduled. “The process of elections taking place now is a farce,” Sa’ar stated. “It has to stop immediately and the election should be held on a new date.”

Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin left a Jerusalem polling station in anger after the computer on which he was voting froze.

The 123,351 members of the ruling Likud were voting at 132 polling stations across the country. Polls were initially scheduled to have closed at 10 p.m. with results were expected to be announced two hours later.

Ninety-seven party members were competing in the primaries for top spots on the slate, which is to run on a joint list with Yisrael Beytenu. Only the 25 or so top Likud candidates are thought to have a realistic chance to enter the Knesset.