Several Haredi residents in Beit Shemesh have confessed to police investigators that they gave the identification cards to others to vote in their place, Israel radio reported.
On Election Day, police confiscated approximately 200 identification cards and disguises. Attorney General Yehudah Weinstein appealed to the courts to violate the recent elections in Beit Shemesh, and he judges asked for more proof. The identification card fraud pointed to an “intentional and systematic attempt to alter the election’s results,” Weinstein told the court.
The false voters disguised themselves while in a nearby apartment so they would not be recognized and then arrived at polling stations.
If a new election is held, the Jewish Home party is expecting their candidate, Eli Cohen, will win. Shas incumbent Mayor Moshe Abutbul beat Cohen by only 956 votes.