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NEWS
Final Results: UTJ Wins 146,958 Votes
By Betzalel Kahn
Based on the final vote count, including crosschecking of
ballots cast by soldiers and voters who cast their vote at
handicapped polling places, UTJ won a total of 146,958 votes
from supporters who responded to calls by gedolei
Yisroel to make every effort to vote. The showing
represents an increase of 12,032 votes compared to the
previous elections.
Figures released by the Central Election Committee show that
UTJ received 3,956 votes from ballots cast at military and
handicapped polls. Over 100,000 of UTJ's votes were cast in
major chareidi population centers — Jerusalem, Bnei
Brak, Modi'in Illit, Ashdod, Beit Shemesh, Beitar Illit,
Elad, Haifa, Rechovot, Rechasim, Ofakim, Tzfat, Netivot,
Kiryat Gat, Telzstone, Zichron Yaakov, Chatzor Glilit,
Carmiel and Tifrach — which posted an impressive total
increase of 11,285 voters compared to the previous
elections.
On the other hand fewer UTJ votes were cast in several cities
with notable chareidi populations, including Netanya, Petach
Tikva, Tiberius and Arad. Decreases were also reported in Tel
Aviv, Ramat Gan, Be'er Sheva, Rosh Ha'ayin, Kiryat Ata,
Givatayim, Beit She'an, Kiryat Ono, Kiryat Shmoneh and Kiryat
Arba.
UTJ officials are very pleased with the results, which point
to a significant increase of over 15,000 votes in largely
chareidi areas, though the party's showing was moderated by
the voter apathy prevailing until 2-3 days before the
elections.
Jerusalem cast the largest number of UTJ votes with 39,439,
which represents an increase of 1,140 votes. In Bnei Brak the
party received 34,149 votes, an increase of 1,803. In Modi'in
Illit UTJ received 8,288 votes, an increase of 2,191. In
Ashdod 7,900, an increase of 1,225; in Beit Shemesh 4,803, an
increase of 1,310; in Beitar Illit 4,213, an increase of 838,
in Elad 3,397, an increase of 1,098; in Haifa 3,246, an
increase of 382; in Rechovot 1,760, an increase of 20; in
Rechasim 1,301, an increase of 87; in Ofakim 1,250, an
increase of 170; and in Hadera 923, an increase of 172.
More UTJ votes were also posted in Rishon Letzion and Tzfat,
with 111 additional voters each, 59 in Netivot, 148 in Kiryat
Gat, 68 in Bat Yam and 224 in Zichron Yaakov.
In Tel Aviv 84 fewer votes were cast for UTJ, bringing the
city's total down to 2,846; in Netanya support fell by 428
votes to 1,598 and Petach Tikva went down 87 votes to
3,687.
Ramat Gan posted a decrease of 148 votes, Be'er Sheva a
decrease of 104 votes and Ashkelon a decrease of 2 votes.
Several surprises also emerged in non-chareidi cities. In
Ramat Hasharon UTJ received 619 votes, an increase of 264
votes compared to the last elections. In Holon 613 voters
chose UTJ, an increase of 103 votes, Carmiel doubled the
number of votes cast for UTJ from 290 to 582 and in Chatzor
86 votes were added, bringing the total up to 577.
UTJ notes large chareidi population centers posted the most
substantial increases, especially Modi'in Illit, followed by
Bnei Brak, Beit Shemesh, Ashdod, Jerusalem and Elad.
Notable increases appeared in several mixed and traditional
cities thanks to effective campaigning and concerted efforts
by both local and national party activists. However,
decreases in certain traditional and secular communities were
also reported.
The total increase of 15,000 votes fell below expectations
since the chareidi community currently has an annual natural
growth rate of about 5 percent, which should have translated
into 20,000 more votes over the three years since elections
were last held. The shortfall indicates that despite the high
voter turnout in chareidi areas and the impressive increase
of 15,000 votes, many UTJ voters did not go to the polls.
According to this calculation the gap between the increase in
the number of votes in chareidi areas and the decrease in the
number of votes within the general population that is
presumed non-chareidi comes to 3,000 votes.
Election Coverage:
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