Upcoming elections: Cancellation of polling stations in nursing homes causes concern

Former Director General of the Central Elections Committee, Adv. Orly Adas, was interviewed this Monday regarding the challenges expected in the upcoming election campaign, primarily the dissemination of false information using artificial intelligence, alongside the decision not to allow the placement of polling stations in nursing homes this time. In a conversation with Gideon Oko and Prof. Aryeh Eldad on 103FM, she also explained why the traditional voting method using paper ballots is, in her view, one of the strengths of the elections in Israel.

Adas expressed criticism that the Knesset did not advance legislation that would allow for the placement of polling stations in nursing homes in the current election cycle, after it was possible in the last two cycles:

"It is very sad for me to know that for reasons that are perhaps political, perhaps not substantive, the Knesset chose not to advance this legislation, which is for the benefit of everyone. Ultimately, each of us will one day be elderly, and it is right to make the elections as accessible as possible."

According to her, the Central Elections Committee had previously drafted a bill intended to make the arrangement permanent:

"Until today, it was by temporary order. Given the experience where we succeeded in making the elections accessible to tens of thousands of elderly people who find it difficult, whether physically to reach the polling station or logistically, because it requires effort from them."

Adas expressed hope that a solution could still be found before election day: "I very much hope that the Supreme Court might find a framework that will allow this, or perhaps the Knesset will come to its senses and decide to legislate during the election recess that will allow this."

"It is impossible to eradicate the phenomenon"

Another issue that worries the election system is the possibility of spreading false information and manipulating the voting public using advanced technological tools.

Regarding this, she said: "The challenges in the election system are the same. We also dealt with improper influence in the last elections." According to her, the developing technological capability only exacerbates the problem: "All the technological development with artificial intelligence allows for creating more manipulations, and this can be used by those who want to influence the results. It is possible to cope - but it is impossible to eradicate the phenomenon."

Precisely against the backdrop of this fear, Adas believes that one should not rush to move to computerized voting. According to her, the traditional system of ballots and polling stations grants the system an important layer of security:

"In my eyes, this low-tech of voting using a paper ballot is the strength and power of the elections. In the case of elections, there is nothing like seeing with one's own eyes. If an audit is required, there is always the possibility to return to the ballot and the physical voting materials, which cannot happen in a computerized election system."