The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is gearing up to facilitate voting for thousands of soldiers stationed in various locations, including Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, ahead of the upcoming Knesset election scheduled for October 27. The military plans to set up more than 800 polling stations for this election, approximately 100 more than in the previous 2022 vote, to accommodate personnel deployed both domestically and abroad.

Voting for IDF personnel will open as early as October 20, allowing soldiers serving on naval vessels, remote outposts, or engaged in operations to cast their ballots ahead of the general election day. The extended voting window is designed to ensure all eligible military voters have accessible opportunities to participate.

The election process for soldiers will employ a double-envelope voting system to confirm voter eligibility and prevent duplicate voting. This procedure involves placing the ballot inside an unmarked envelope, which is then enclosed in a second envelope containing the voter’s identification details.

Approximately 25 percent of the military polling stations will be mobile units, moving according to a planned schedule to reach soldiers in isolated locations. Each mobile station will be accompanied by an armed officer or noncommissioned officer responsible for maintaining security throughout the voting process.

The IDF retains primary responsibility for executing the election procedures within its ranks, in coordination with the Central Elections Committee. Col. Vered Ben Yehuda, head of the IDF’s employment center, has been appointed as the army’s election officer and is overseeing the preparations. The operation involves hundreds of officers and nearly 3,000 soldiers who have received specialized training to manage the voting process. Polling committees typically consist of four members, usually conscripted soldiers of staff sergeant rank or below, with noncommissioned officers and reservists included in more remote areas.

The military’s role in the election effort is expressly technical and organizational, aiming to ensure voting accessibility and maintain the integrity of the process without political involvement. Detailed guidance and regulations have been disseminated through internal military channels and media outlets, accompanied by briefings for commanders on acceptable conduct during the election period. These instructions emphasize the importance of restricting political discussions within military units and preventing the army from engaging in political matters.

The IDF has warned that any violations of election procedures, including politically charged comments or inappropriate behavior by commanders, will be met with strict disciplinary action. In the 2022 Knesset election, voter turnout among military personnel reached approximately 73 percent, and the IDF anticipates similar levels of participation in the current election cycle.