Israel Elections: High Voter Turnout Recorded as Benjamin Netanyahu Urges Citizens to Cast Ballots

UPDATED: Oct 27, 2026 17:12 ISTVoting is underway across Israel, with voter turnout crossing 16 per cent in the initial hours, marking the highest rate recorded at this stage since 1981. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, cast their votes at a polling station in Jerusalem. Netanyahu hailed the voter turnout while calling on right-wing voters to head to the ballots. In a ground report from a polling station in Jerusalem, voters were seen lining up to cast ballots using party-marked slips placed inside envelopes. A local voter spoke on youth perspectives, citing national unity, employment, and technology as key considerations over political division. Read MoreVIDEOS FROM OTHER SECTIONSLATEST VIDEOSTheni Prison Break: 17 Inmates Flee After Attacking Guards, 5 Caught as Massive Manhunt ContinuesA major security scare hit Tamil Nadu after 17 inmates staged a jailbreak at a prison in Theni. The prisoners feigned illness, overpowered the guards when they entered the cell, and snatched their keys before escaping. While five inmates have been recaptured, 12 remain absconding. Multiple search teams have launched an extensive manhunt across neighbouring areas and border checkpoints. Following the breach, nine prison staffers have been suspended. The incident has raised serious questions over prison administration, with reports highlighting overcrowding, as the facility housed 334 inmates against a capacity of 200, alongside questions regarding protocol adherence during security emergencies.'How Many Permissions Will You Deny, Amit Shah?': K.C. VenugopalCongress leader K.C. Venugopal accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of blocking permissions for the INDIA bloc's planned events. According to Venugopal, twenty-one opposition parties organized a public impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar leading up to a November 1 mega rally and march. He stated that permission was first refused at Hotel Ashoka and later disrupted by Delhi Police at Ramlila Maidan, despite the party having prior clearances. Venugopal alleged that the administration is attempting to protect Gyanesh Kumar and silence those fighting for democracy, warning that opposition leaders will stage a dharna outside the residences of the Prime Minister and Home Minister if obstructed.Delhi Traders Warn of Rs 10,000 Crore Loss as Congress Plans Protests at Ramlila GroundDelhi traders have urged the Leader of Opposition to postpone planned demonstrations at Ramlila Ground until after Diwali, warning that rallies and traffic diversions during the peak festive shopping season could trigger losses of up to 10,000 crore rupees across wholesale and retail markets. The Chamber of Trade and Industry highlighted severe disruption to Old Delhi and Chandni Chowk markets, noting previous losses of 3,000 crore rupees. Meanwhile, Congress leaders claimed the Delhi Police denied permission for a mock impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar scheduled ahead of their November rally.Ramlila Maidan Rally Row: INDIA Bloc vs BJP over Save Democracy MarchesA major political face-off has intensified between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition INDIA bloc over competing Save Democracy campaigns. While the INDIA bloc has scheduled a rally on 1 November at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan to protest against the Special Intensive Revision exercise and seek the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the BJP is countering with nationwide foot marches titled Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy. Amid this political duel, Delhi traders and the Vishva Hindu Parishad have expressed concern over potential disruptions to festive Diwali business estimated at 10,000 crore rupees. Opposition leaders, however, have defended their right to protest while asserting support for local merchants.