Big (Israeli) parties vexed by record low voter turnout

[villager]

BBig parties vexed by record low voter turnout

By Haaretz Staff

The three largest parties, Kadima, Labor, and Likud, were under mounting pressure Tuesday evening, fearing that the lowest voter turnout in Israeli electoral history may sap their strength in the next Knesset. A low turnout is expected to work in favor of smaller, ideology-driven parties, especially those of the right. It may also enable such issue-based factions as the Pensioners party to enter the Knesset for the first time.

Figures released as of 6 P.M. showed voter turnout running some five percentage points behind that of the 2003 elections. Election officials said only 47 percent of eligible voters had cast ballots by 6 P.M., compared to nearly 53 percent at that hour in 2003.


http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/699377.html