Three Arrested in Alleged Vote-Buying Scheme Involving Ra’am Ballots

Israel’s Negev District police announced Tuesday morning that three suspects had been arrested on suspicion of attempting to bribe voters. According to police, authorities received information about plans to distribute envelopes containing ballot slips for the Ra’am party along with cash. Investigators suspect the individuals intended to hand them out to voters or offer financial incentives in exchange for votes.

According to the Central Elections Committee, the suspects were arrested before polling stations opened. Envelopes bearing the Ra’am logo were seized. Police said the suspects were believed to be attempting to disrupt the election process. The incident is being investigated by the Southern District Police fraud unit.

Meanwhile, Ra’am filed an official complaint with the Central Elections Committee, alleging a deliberate attempt to interfere with voting for the party. According to Ra’am, police arrested several prominent party activists early Tuesday morning in Rahat, Segev Shalom, and the village of A-Sir, “without any clear reason.” The party also claimed there was a shortage of Ra’am ballot slips in Nazareth and Shefa-Amr, and that torn ballot slips had been discovered.