Voting numbers have been slightly below those seen in 2008, which was low to begin with, but there is the fact that most voting Israelis have been at work until now, meaning the number may jump in the next few hours.
In Jerusalem, which had only seen some 10 percent of eligible voters cast ballots as of 2 p.m., Mayor Nir Barkat, expected to handily win, pleaded with supporters not to be complacent and to flood the polling booths.
Nir Barkat shaking hands with a driver on Tuesday. (photo credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90)
“It’s a tough battle and far from a sure thing,” Barkat told reporters while traveling through the capital. “Everyone of us needs to get out to vote to ensure the future of Jerusalem.”
His opponent, Moshe Lion, has the backing of many of the city’s ultra-Orthodox, so getting modern Orthodox and secular working Israelis to the poll will be vital for Barkat in the last five hours.
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From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
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