Voter turnout in Israel reached 54 percent as of 6 P.M. (1600GMT) Tuesday, four hours before polling stations are to close, according to figures released by the Israeli Central Elections Committee - the lowest figure for parliament (Knesset) elections since the creation of the Jewish state in 1948. A CEC official estimated that the total voter turnout will reach 72 percent, Haaretz reported.
Tuesday's 6 P.M. turnout was almost seven percent lower than the 6 P.M. turnout for the last election for Knesset parties.
The overall Arab-sector turnout was about 30 percent at 2 P.M. (1200GMT), Army Radio reported, but some Arab areas had a much lower turnout. About 10 percent of Arabs in the Lower Galilee had voted by Tuesday afternoon, Itim reported, and only about 1.5 percent had voted in Arab towns around Acre. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
