JERUSALEM (JTA) — Proposed legislation that would allow election observers to use cameras inside polling places likely will not make it on the Knesset agenda in time for next week’s elections.
On Monday, the bill failed to advance out of the Knesset Regulatory committee, which voted on a motion that would have shortened the time required before a vote could be held on the legislation.
The committee vote was tied 12-12, which kept the legislation, championed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, from having its first reading later Monday in the Knesset plenum.
Lawmakers from Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu party voted against the motion after Liberman accused Netanyahu of trying to steal the upcoming elections, saying the measure “is not a voter observer bill, it is an election-stealing bill.”
Netanyahu has said the legislation is meant to curb voting fraud. His critics say he is trying to intimidate voters, mostly Arabs.
The Cabinet unanimously approved the proposed legislation on Sunday.
