Voter Turnout Low in Local Authority Elections: Dozens of Localities to Decide in Second Round

Residents of numerous localities across Israel are gearing up for a crucial second round of mayoral elections on March 10. Following initial voting held on Tuesday, none of the candidates managed to secure more than 40% of the votes, necessitating a runoff between the top contenders.

Among the cities where the second round will take place are Haifa, Beit Shemesh, Harish, Tirat Carmel, Yehud-Monoson, Kiryat Gat, Ramla, Nes Ziona, and Rehovot.

The decision to advance the second round by two days was made to accommodate the start of the month of Ramadan and to consider Muslim candidates and voters.

In Haifa, former mayor Yona Yahav will face off against David Etzioni after neither secured over 40% of the vote in the initial round. Similarly, in Abu Ghosh, Kazem Ibrahim and Salim Gever will compete for the mayoral position in the upcoming runoff.

Other cities witnessing a second round include Or Akiva, Efrat, Ariel, Be'er Tovia regional council, Bokata, Beit Jen, Binyamina, Basmat Tivon, Julis, Jat, Deir al-Assad, Zarzir, Barish, Carmel Castle, Kfar Kana, Belkia, Mashhad, Neve Mebar regional council, Araba, Paki'in, Kiryat Gat, Kiryat Ekron, Rehovot, Ramla, and Sheab.

The runoff elections will see the top two candidates from the initial round competing head-to-head for the mayoral position, with the outcome shaping the leadership of these localities for the next five years.

The mayoral races are characterized by tight competition, with candidates striving to secure majority support in the upcoming second round.