IDF to deploy 850 polling stations for soldiers serving abroad

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is implementing an unprecedented logistical operation to allow soldiers serving in active combat zones and beyond national borders to vote in the upcoming October 27 elections. This marks the first time in Israeli history that personnel operating across international borders will be provided with election infrastructure while remaining in their operational positions.

The military plans to deploy approximately 850 polling stations, an increase from the 700 stations used in previous elections. About 75 percent of these will be fixed locations, while roughly 210 mobile units will travel between military positions on predetermined schedules to reach soldiers in remote or demanding assignments. To ensure security, each mobile committee will be accompanied by an armed officer, and ballot boxes will remain locked during transit.

Early voting for the military is scheduled to begin on the evening of October 20 and will continue through the general election. The process will be managed by hundreds of election officers and approximately 3,000 trained soldiers. A double-envelope system will be utilized to verify eligibility and prevent double voting among active-duty soldiers and reservists. This election will determine the 120 members of the 26th Knesset.