Israel election results LIVE: Netanyahu bloc leads with 53, Eisenkot has 48, Arab parties at 19 as counting underway

LiveOct 29, 2026, 08:10:31 ISTIsrael election results LIVE: The Central Elections Commission has announced that the counting of “double envelope” votes is now underway. These ballots mainly consist of IDF soldiers, as well as prisoners, medical personnel, and Israeli representatives serving at missions abroad.1 Mins agoWhen will the final election results be announced?6 Mins agoJoint List: 'We are prepared to work with opposition bloc to topple Netanyahu'12 Mins agoAbsentee ballots being counted now16 Mins agoNetanyahu bloc leads with 53 seats20 Mins agoProtests erupt in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa26 Mins agoVote counting shows no clear winner28 Mins agoParty leaders signal coalition plans as vote count continues50 Mins agoNetanyahu alleges Israel election was ‘stolen’ by Arab parties51 Mins agoDouble-envelope vote counting underwayIsraeli PM and Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu.Israel election results LIVE: As counting of votes continue in Israel's high-stakes election, partial results released by the Central Elections Committee and reported by The Times of Israel show a close race. According to the Central Elections Committee's partial results at 11:35 pm (local time), the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bloc has 53 seats, while the opposing Eisenkot-led bloc holds 48 seats. Arab-led parties, the Joint List and Ra’am have 19 seats, The Jerusalem Post reported.These figures are based on 90 per cent of votes counted across 97.5 per cent of ballot boxes. The latest figures also show that several political factions remain below the 3.25 per cent electoral threshold. These include the Reservists, with 2.6 per cent of the vote, the People of Israel, with 1.6 per cent, and the Charedi Public faction, with 0.2 per cent. 61 seats are needed for a parliamentary majority. Counting of ‘double envelope’ votes underway The Central Elections Commission (CEC) has announced that the counting of “double envelope” votes is now underway, reported Times of Israel. These ballots mainly consist of IDF soldiers, as well as prisoners, medical personnel, people with medical conditions, and Israeli representatives serving at missions abroad. The CEC also clarified that the counting of regular votes is still incomplete. So far, results have been processed from 11,712 out of the 12,018 regular polling stations, covering 5,126,759 voters. The remaining polling stations are undergoing standard verification procedures, the commission added. Likud makes allegations against Arab partiesNetanyahu’s Likud party alleged that Arab parties committed election fraud in Tuesday’s election and demanded investigations by the police, Shin Bet and Central Elections Committee. In a post on X on Wednesday, Netanyahu’s account said Likud would submit hundreds of testimonies and pieces of evidence alleging irregularities at Arab polling stations, including bribery, threats, violence, forged documents and multiple voting. These remain allegations made by Likud and have not been independently verified in the statement. The party called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of those found responsible, describing the alleged acts as a threat to Israel’s democracy and the integrity of the election. What if no leader gets enough seats to form govt? If no leader can assemble a government, Israel could head for another election. Netanyahu would remain caretaker prime minister in the meantime, overseeing day-to-day government while negotiations continue. Democrats leader Yair Golan has called for the Eisenkot-led Opposition bloc to unite with the Arab parties to reach the majority mark. Israel's exit polls reversed overnight on Tuesday, projecting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as having a narrow lead on his main challenger, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. However, the exit polls pointed to a political deadlock with no clear winner, as major Israeli TV stations suggested a neck-and-neck contest. Voting ended in Israel on Tuesday in a high-stakes national election, in which a total of 7,331,981 Israelis were eligible to vote. The polls witnessed high-voter turnout, with nearly 77.7 per cent of voters casting their ballots. This is higher than the turnout in the 2022 Israeli prime ministerial elections, which saw a turnout of just over 70 per cent. This is the first general election in the country since the 2023 Hamas attack. Israel election process Israelis vote for parties to enter the 120-seat Knesset, instead of single candidates, under a proportional representation system. A party or coalition needs to secure at least 61 seats to form a majority government. Parties must win at least 3.25 per cent of the national vote to enter parliament. Seats are then distributed among qualifying parties according to their share of the votes. Official counting will follow, with the final vote tally expected by October 30. The results are scheduled to be formally published on November 4. Once the final results are available, Israeli President Isaac Herzog will consult leaders of the political parties to assess which candidate has the strongest chance of forming a government. That candidate will have up to 42 days to negotiate with other parties and put together a governing coalition. ...Read MoreThese figures are based on 90 per cent of votes counted across 97.5 per cent of ballot boxes. The latest figures also show that several political factions remain below the 3.25 per cent electoral threshold. These include the Reservists, with 2.6 per cent of the vote, the People of Israel, with 1.6 per cent, and the Charedi Public faction, with 0.2 per cent. 61 seats are needed for a parliamentary majority. Counting of ‘double envelope’ votes underway The Central Elections Commission (CEC) has announced that the counting of “double envelope” votes is now underway, reported Times of Israel. These ballots mainly consist of IDF soldiers, as well as prisoners, medical personnel, people with medical conditions, and Israeli representatives serving at missions abroad. The CEC also clarified that the counting of regular votes is still incomplete. So far, results have been processed from 11,712 out of the 12,018 regular polling stations, covering 5,126,759 voters. The remaining polling stations are undergoing standard verification procedures, the commission added. Likud makes allegations against Arab partiesNetanyahu’s Likud party alleged that Arab parties committed election fraud in Tuesday’s election and demanded investigations by the police, Shin Bet and Central Elections Committee. In a post on X on Wednesday, Netanyahu’s account said Likud would submit hundreds of testimonies and pieces of evidence alleging irregularities at Arab polling stations, including bribery, threats, violence, forged documents and multiple voting. These remain allegations made by Likud and have not been independently verified in the statement. The party called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of those found responsible, describing the alleged acts as a threat to Israel’s democracy and the integrity of the election. What if no leader gets enough seats to form govt? If no leader can assemble a government, Israel could head for another election. Netanyahu would remain caretaker prime minister in the meantime, overseeing day-to-day government while negotiations continue. Democrats leader Yair Golan has called for the Eisenkot-led Opposition bloc to unite with the Arab parties to reach the majority mark. Israel's exit polls reversed overnight on Tuesday, projecting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as having a narrow lead on his main challenger, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. However, the exit polls pointed to a political deadlock with no clear winner, as major Israeli TV stations suggested a neck-and-neck contest. Voting ended in Israel on Tuesday in a high-stakes national election, in which a total of 7,331,981 Israelis were eligible to vote. The polls witnessed high-voter turnout, with nearly 77.7 per cent of voters casting their ballots. This is higher than the turnout in the 2022 Israeli prime ministerial elections, which saw a turnout of just over 70 per cent. This is the first general election in the country since the 2023 Hamas attack. Israel election process Israelis vote for parties to enter the 120-seat Knesset, instead of single candidates, under a proportional representation system. A party or coalition needs to secure at least 61 seats to form a majority government. Parties must win at least 3.25 per cent of the national vote to enter parliament. Seats are then distributed among qualifying parties according to their share of the votes. Official counting will follow, with the final vote tally expected by October 30. The results are scheduled to be formally published on November 4. Once the final results are available, Israeli President Isaac Herzog will consult leaders of the political parties to assess which candidate has the strongest chance of forming a government. That candidate will have up to 42 days to negotiate with other parties and put together a governing coalition. Follow all the updates here:Oct 29, 2026, 08:10:30 ISTIsrael election results LIVE: When will the final election results be announced?Israel election results LIVE: The results of Israeli election will be official announced by November 4. The final composition of parliament will only become clear once the special ballots have been tallied. Thereafter, political parties may need several weeks of negotiations to build a support capable of getting a parliamentary majority.Oct 29, 2026, 08:06:03 ISTIsrael election results LIVE: Arab Joint List says it will join oppn parties to oust NetanyahuIsrael election results LIVE: As per statement released on Wednesday night, the Arab Joint List party said they are willing to join forces with other parties to topple Netanyahu."The Joint List will exert all its strength to bring an end to Netanyahu’s rule," the statement read, as reported The Jerusalem Post.“We are prepared for political cooperation to form an alternative government—one that presents a genuine alternative and commits to a fundamental shift away from the current government’s racist policies; a government that will work to recognize the rights of the Arab public and put an end to the exclusion of this community and its representatives from the political system,” it added.Oct 29, 2026, 08:00:28 ISTIsrael election results LIVE: Absentee ballots being counted nowIsrael election results LIVE: As per Israel’s Central Elections Committee, absentee ballots n the 2026 general elections were between 430,000 and 480,000.With the counting of “double envelope” votes underway, reported, these ballots mainly consist of IDF soldiers, as well as prisoners, medical personnel, people with medical conditions, and Israeli representatives serving at missions abroad, Times od Israel reported.Oct 29, 2026, 07:56:06 ISTIsrael election results LIVE: Netanyahu bloc leads with 53 seatsIsrael election results LIVE: Amid civil demonstrations, vote counting progresses in Israel’s high-stakes political contest, statistics published by the Central Elections Committee and detailed by The Times of Israel indicate that the electoral arithmetic remains finely balanced.According to the Central Elections Committee's partial results at 11:35 pm (local time), Netanyahu bloc has 53 seats, while the opposing Eisenkot-led bloc holds 48 seats. Arab-led parties, the Joint List and Ra’am have 19 seats.Oct 29, 2026, 07:51:30 ISTIsrael election results LIVE: Protests erupt in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and HaifaIsrael election results LIVE: Around 300 individuals assembled to protest at Paris Square in Jerusalem, Mesila Park in Tel Aviv and UNESCO Square in Haifa, advocating for the establishment of a Jewish-Arab government, according to the Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz.Demonstrators brandished placards featuring slogans such as “Freedom for all, from the river to the sea” and “Yes to a Jewish-Arab government”. The demonstrations reflect a unified call among the protest participants for inclusive governance, as reported by Haaretz.(via ANI)Oct 29, 2026, 07:46:01 ISTIsrael election results LIVE: Vote counting shows no clear winnerIsrael election results LIVE: Israelis are facing political uncertainty as no party appeared close to securing a parliamentary majority. Results show some relief to Benjamin Netanyahu’s supporters, while opposition supporters face the prospect of a prolonged political deadlock.Oct 29, 2026, 07:44:12 ISTIsrael election results LIVE: Party leaders signal coalition plans as vote count continuesIsrael election results LIVE: Party leaders have began outlining potential alliances before Israel’s official election results were finalised.According to the NYTimes, Gadi Eisenkot stressed the need for a Zionist government with universal military conscription, while the Joint List vowed to work to remove Benjamin Netanyahu from office.Oct 29, 2026, 07:22:06 ISTIsrael election results LIVE: Netanyahu alleges Israel election was ‘stolen’ by Arab partiesIsrael election results LIVE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party has alleged that Arab parties committed election fraud in Tuesday’s election and demanded investigations by the police, Shin Bet and Central Elections Committee.In a post on X, Netanyahu’s account said Likud would submit hundreds of testimonies and pieces of evidence alleging irregularities at Arab polling stations, including bribery, threats, violence, forged documents and multiple voting. These remain allegations made by Likud and have not been independently verified in the statement.The party called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of those found responsible, describing the alleged acts as a threat to Israel’s democracy and the integrity of the election.Oct 29, 2026, 07:20:57 ISTIsrael election results LIVE: Double-envelope vote counting underwayIsrael election results LIVE: Israel’s Central Elections Commission is holding the counting of double-envelope ballots, including votes cast by soldiers, prisoners, medical personnel and Israeli representatives abroad.The CEC also clarified that the counting of regular votes is still incomplete. So far, results have been processed from 11,712 out of the 12,018 regular polling stations, covering 5,126,759 voters, reported Times of Israel.Home World news Israel election results LIVE: Netanyahu bloc leads with 53, Eisenkot has 48, Arab parties at 19 as counting underway