Early turnout low in right-wing cities, high in left

First turnout figures from the Central Election Committee show voting rates running lower in cities considered right-wing strongholds, while liberal cities in the center have posted higher numbers so far.

Nationwide turnout as of 10:00 a.m. stood at 16.7 percent of eligible voters, up 0.78 percent from the same hour in the previous election, and the highest figure for this hour since the 1981 election. The highest turnout rates were recorded in the communities of Ein Hod (25.7%), Sde Nehemia (25.4%), and Nes Harim (23.2%).

High turnout data in left-wing cities (Central Election Committee)

Shoham recorded 12.7 percent turnout, Modiin 12.6 percent, Ramat Hasharon 11.6 percent, and Givatayim 11.1 percent. By contrast, right-leaning cities posted lower figures: Kiryat Gat at 10.5 percent, Maale Adumim and Ashdod each at 10.1 percent, Petach Tikva at 10 percent, and Ashkelon and Jerusalem each at 9.6 percent.

Arab sector turnout mixed

In the Arab sector, most northern Arab cities showed low turnout: Sakhnin at 6.9 percent, Arraba at 6.5 percent, Yarka at 5.0 percent, and Maghar at 4.1 percent.

Southern Arab cities, however, recorded significantly higher rates. Rahat, considered a Ra'am stronghold, posted 14.0 percent turnout. Lakiya recorded 13.7 percent and Hura 12.8 percent, figures considered high at this stage of the day.