Labor fears low voter turnout in Thursday's primaries
Candidates urge supporters to return to polling stations despite Tuesday's fiasco in which internal elections were annulled due to malfunctions in computerized voting system. Barak appoints four aides to help in organization of new vote
On the heels of Tuesday's primaries fiasco, Labor members vying for a slot on the party's Knesset roster are expected to regroup and urge their supporters to continue in their campaign efforts ahead of Thursday's internal elections.
The primaries came to an abrupt halt after increasing reports of major failures in the computerized voting system, which was implemented for the first time ever, prompted the party's Election Committee to halt the voting.
Candidates are said to spend most of Wednesday trying to convince voters to return to the polling stations, as a senior party official said empty voting stations "would be embarrassing for Labor".
"I plan on staying in my office all day to make phone calls," said Peace Now Secretary-General Yariv Oppenheimer, who is running in the elections. "I must reassemble my entire volunteer base and make certain that supporters return to the polling stations. It won’t be easy recruiting everyone again."
Labor officials continue to demand the dismissal of Secretary-general Eitan Cabel following the cancellation of Tuesday's vote, but sources close to Ehud Barak have denied reports that the party chairman has considered sacking Cabel. Instead, Barak has appointed four of his aides to assist the secretary-general in organizing Thursday's elections.
Labor's primaries race stands to be tight, as 41 candidates, including Knesset members, ministers and newcomers are bidding for a place on the roster.
Contending for the top slots are prominent Labor figures, the likes of Education Minister Yuli Tamir, Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai, Social Affairs Minister Isaac Herzog, and MKs Avishay Braverman, Amir Peretz, Shelly Yacimovich and Pines-Paz.
Labor newcomers, such as journalist Daniel Ben Simon, Peace Now Secretary-General Oppenheimer and businessman Avi Shaked, are also bidding for a "realistic" slot, which would guarantee their place in the Knesset.
