IBA sends 2nd ‘urgent request’ to extend voting hours; Levin ignored first one

The Israel Bar Association sends a second “urgent request” to Justice Minister  Yariv Levin to extend voting hours for the new head of the organization.

The request notes that Levin had not responded to an earlier request sent two hours before.

The association says there are still long lines at voting stations across the country.

By 2:50 p.m., 23.6% of eligible voters had cast their ballots. Previous elections have seen overall turnout of under 30%.

The vote is seen as key to the government’s judicial overhaul plans as the association will elect two representatives to the Judicial Selection Committee, which selects judges to all courts in Israel.

Levin, who chairs the committee, seeks to overhaul the judiciary which he claims is too activist and unduly obstructs government decisions, policy and legislation.

Opponents say the justice minister could refuse to allow longer hours for the vote if he believes high turnout could harm his preferred candidate in a vote seen as key to his judicial reform efforts

There was no immediate comment from Levin’s office.