In 2003, Likud MK Michael Gorlovsky double-voted in the Knesset. He voted once for himself, and once for the absent Likud MK Gilad Erdan. He lost his seat in the 2006 elections, and in 2007 received a suspended sentence and community service for the double-vote.
Also in 2003, Likud MK Yehiel Hazan double-voted – twice, in place of the absent Likud MK Inbal Gavrieli. After being accused, he then tried to tamper with the voting equipment, and was caught in the act on the Knesset’s camera. Hazan was convicted and sentenced to 4 months community service and a 6 month suspended prison sentence. He also lost his seat in the 2006 elections.
Yesterday, while voting on the expansion of the number of government ministers, the Knesset ran a voice vote.
After Knesset Secretary Yardena Miller-Horovit called out the name of Zionist Camp MK Xenia Svetlova to vote, you hear a male voice yell out in response, “in favor”.
Whoever called out was not on camera at the time, which was run live on the Knesset Channel.
There was some confusion at that point, as it was clear that Svetlova wasn’t present.
The secretary then said whoever voted in her place was not right, and a discussion ensued between her and Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, who said he will deal with it.
The Knesset secretary continued the discussion, “What’s this? Someone voted in her place. Someone’s impersonating. It’s as if he voted for her. Just, they shouldn’t attack Oren.” That reference was to current Likud MK Oren Hazan, the son of Yehiel Hazan, mentioned above.
After a discussion by Knesset officials and legal advisers, it was decided that the Knesset would not investigate and try to discover who attempted to vote in place of MK Svetlova.
They made their decision based on the MK was not being visually caught on camera, and it would be difficult to firmly identify him, even though there’s only around 15-20 possible suspects (most likely from the Opposition), and second, since it’s a brand new Knesset, it was decided that whoever did it, did so “in good faith”.
Whoever it was, got very lucky yesterday.
But how does that bode for the rest of us?