IDF to deploy voting stations behind enemy lines in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza ahead of October election

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will deploy voting stations in enemy territories, including Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, to ensure combat soldiers deployed outside Israel can exercise their right to vote in the upcoming October 27 election. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir announced these plans in an internal directive, stressing the importance of enabling voting while maintaining the military's political neutrality.

Zamir convened senior IDF leadership to outline preparatory guidelines. Beyond establishing polling stations in hostile areas, the directive includes a ban on political tours and lectures. Commanders' statements across all official communications will be closely monitored to prevent any political topics from being broached during the sensitive election period. A dedicated team will also regulate soldiers' social media activity and respond to incidents, reinforcing the ban on political activity by military personnel.

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enabling the right to vote while keeping the IDF out of political discourse.

Special preparations are also being made for reservists, many of whom serve during election periods. Zamir underscored the need to strictly adhere to existing laws and orders concerning them. Additionally, sensitive commemorative days, including the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks and the assassination of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, fall within the election period. The IDF must adhere to existing procedures for these days, avoiding any actions that could undermine public trust.

The directive aims to ensure the IDF is not used for propaganda purposes and that the ban on political activity by military personnel is upheld. The goal is to align expectations, educate command ranks, and make the voting process accessible to all eligible soldiers, regardless of their deployment location.

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We must stick to existing procedures, orders, and directives on the matter, and avoid innovations that could lead to undermining public trust in the IDF. We must align expectations, educate, and make the process accessible to the commanding ranks.