World
Israel Elections: When Will We Know Who Won And Why Is The Process Complicated?
By: News18 World
Published: 27 October 2026
Photo / Illustration: Haldwani Times News Desk
<p>Israelis are voting in a parliamentary election on Tuesday, the first since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that shook the country and plunged the Middle East into turmoil.</p>
<p>The election puts Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hold on power to the test, with centrist rivals promising a change of direction. But even after the ballots are cast, the outcome may not be straightforward. Israel’s proportional representation system means the battle is not simply about which party finishes first, but which combination of parties can command a majority in the Knesset.</p>
<p>Here is what to know about the timeline, the electoral arithmetic and what happens after voting ends.</p>
<p>Polling stations open at 7 am and close at 10 pm local time (5 am and 8 pm GMT, respectively). Israeli television channels are expected to release exit polls as voting ends, offering the first indication of how the election may have gone.</p>
<p>The initial projections could provide a reasonably clear picture within hours. But exit polls are not final results, and the composition of the next government may remain uncertain even after the first vote counts come in.</p>
<p>If no party or bloc emerges with a clear parliamentary majority, negotiations over a governing coalition could prolong the uncertainty. The final tally is expected by October 30, while the official results are scheduled to be published on November 4.</p>
<p>Polling stations are open from 7 am to 10 pm local time.</p>
<p>The Knesset consists of 120 members elected through proportional representation.</p>
<p>A party must secure at least 3.25 percent of the vote to enter the Knesset.</p>
<p>The designated candidate has up to 42 days to form a government.</p>
<p>The Knesset, Israel’s 120-member parliament, is elected through proportional representation. Voters choose party lists, and seats are allocated according to each party’s share of the national vote.</p>
<p>A party must secure at least 3.25% of the vote to enter the Knesset. With around a dozen parties believed to have a chance of crossing that threshold, even relatively small shifts in support could affect the final distribution of seats.</p>
<p>This makes the threshold an important part of the election-night story. Parties that fall short receive no seats, while those that cross it can influence the balance of power, particularly when neither of the main political camps has enough support to govern alone.</p>
<p>Once the final results are in, President Isaac Herzog will consult party leaders on whom they want to see as prime minister. He will then nominate the candidate he believes has the best chance of assembling a government.</p>
<p>That candidate will have up to 42 days to form a government.</p>
<p>No single party has ever won an outright majority in Israel, making coalition-building central to the political process. Parties must negotiate over ministerial positions, policy priorities and other terms before they can put together a governing majority. Smaller parties can therefore wield considerable influence if their support proves decisive.</p>
<p>If the first nominee fails to form a government, another candidate may get an opportunity. If the efforts to assemble a coalition fail altogether, Israel could head to another election, with the existing cabinet continuing as a caretaker government in the meantime.</p>
<p>The final vote tally for the October 27, 2026 election is expected by October 30, while the official results are scheduled to be published on November 4, 2026.</p>
<p>Voters choose party lists rather than individual candidates, and seats in the 120-member Knesset are allocated based on each party's share of the national vote. Parties must secure a minimum threshold of 3.25% to enter parliament.</p>
<p>President Isaac Herzog consults party leaders and nominates the candidate deemed to have the best chance of assembling a government. That nominee has up to 42 days to negotiate ministerial positions and policy priorities to form a governing majority.</p>
