Knesset Elections Law

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Knesset Elections Law is crucial legal document governing the process of elections in the Israeli parliament or the Knesset.

The law was created in 1958 and updated in 1987.

Current Voting System

Members of the Knesset are elected through Proportional Representation based on results for the entire national electorate. This means that seats are allocated across all parties fielding candidates who receive a minimum of 3.25% of the vote. Ballot papers give voters a choice of parties, rather than choosing individual candidates.

Parties have lists of candidates in order of preference. Some political parties have their own primary votes to decide candidate lists, whilst other (e.g. ultra-religious) parties have "spiritual" leaders who have the sole responsibility of deciding candidates for elections.

Elections are held every 4 years, unless the Knesset or Prime Minister decides to call an election early (snap election). Also under certain circumstances elections maybe be postponed past 4 years . An example of this was the election for 8th Knesset which was postponed (for two months due to the Yom Kippur War) by a special majority in the Knesset. ^[1]

See also

• Israeli Central Elections Committee

References

• The Basic Law: The Knesset