Olmert. Still leading in polls
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Poll: 25 Knesset seats undecided
A week and a half ahead of elections, poll reveals 21 percent of voters equaling 25 parliamentary seats still undecided, only 63 percent certain will turn out at the polling stations
While Israel is only 11 days away from crucial general elections that will determine the country's fate in terms of further disengagements and the state's future borders, Israelis appear to be having a more difficult time than ever deciding who to vote for.
A poll published by Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth on Friday revealed that more than fifth of registered voters (21 percent) have yet to decide what ballot to cast at the polling station a week-and-a-half from now. The number of these undecided voters equals no less than 25 Knesset seats.
Notably, most undecided voters, 63 percent, are women, while the rest are men.
According to the poll, conducted by the Dahaf Institute and Dr. Mina Tzemach, only 63 percent of respondents said they are positive they will vote in the elections. This figure is particularly low, even in comparison to the voter turnout rate in the previous elections that stood at 74.5 percent and was the lowest in the country's history.
A low voter turnout rate means each vote will carry much more weight, and therefore parties are expected to put in extra efforts to bring people to the polling stations on elections day. Such low figures are also set to benefit the smaller parties.
Meanwhile, the poll also showed that among respondents planning on voting, the number of undecided voters stands at 21 percent. An attempt to characterize trends and inclinations of these undecided voters revealed that had elections been held today, Kadima would get 32 seats, Labor 15, Likud 11 and Shas 10.
