A controversial bill mandating cameras at polling stations for Israel's upcoming election died in committee on Monday despite having Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's backing, but Likud has not given up.
The so-called "camera-bill" was on a fast track to become law when it was unanimously approved by the cabinet on Sunday.
But prospects for the legislation faded just hours before the vote when Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman announced he would oppose the bill because it was hastily drafted and poorly worded.
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The final vote was a 12-12 split, failing to muster a simple majority in the House Committee because of a renegade coalition MK. This means the bill is unlikely to be passed in full until after the election.
Earlier Monday, Lieberman said that the bill was meant to favor the Likud's chances and help it "steal the election."
He commented, however, that he was in favor of setting up cameras at polling stations, but such a policy would have to be applied uniformly and reach "all sectors of Israeli society."
"We are also in favor of placing cameras in the Arab sector, and also in the (ultra-Orthodox) sector … in Haifa, in Tel Aviv, and in Beersheba, too. Only in this way can elections be monitored," he added
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On Sunday, Israeli ministers approved the bill in the cabinet, in what was the first major hurdle for the controversial piece of legislation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to press ahead with the bill despite a rare objection from the attorney general, saying that without it the election could be "stolen."
"The integrity of the elections is one of the pillars of democracy and this is the best way to prevent fraud – installing cameras and enabling supervision by rival parties. Mutual supervision by all parties is the essence of transparency in democracy and one of the basics in preserving the rule of law," Netanyahu professed at the cabinet meeting, adding that the cameras would not violate the voters' right to secrecy.
This article was originally published by i24NEWS.
