The Israel Defense Forces is preparing to establish military polling stations inside Gaza, southern Lebanon, and Syria to allow deployed combat troops to cast ballots in the upcoming national election, according to internal directives reported by Army Radio.
The wartime voting framework was outlined in a comprehensive policy document issued by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir following a directive meeting with senior General Staff officers. The plan represents an expansion of forward military voting logistics, arranging facilities deep within active operational zones across three external territories.
Lt. Gen. Zamir defined the military's primary operational objective as enabling every soldier to exercise their right to vote while strictly maintaining political neutrality across all command levels.
"Enabling the right to vote while keeping the IDF out of political discourse," Lt. Gen. Zamir stated regarding the central mandate guiding the military election guidelines.
Alongside logistical arrangements for forward voting stations, the directives establish strict operational limits to insulate military units from partisan activity. Outside speakers with political affiliations are barred from military bases, and tours of politically sensitive locations are strictly prohibited throughout the campaign period.
Official communications issued by officers, including speeches, written briefs, and formal letters, will undergo internal administrative review to prevent political commentary. A dedicated oversight team will monitor military social media activity and respond to partisan infractions among active personnel and reservists.
The military has previously operated voting facilities during active operations. Mobile ballot teams and fixed stations were deployed in Gaza and northern border zones during the 2024 municipal elections, but the upcoming plan extends voting access across multiple international fronts simultaneously.
The national vote marks the first general election since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7 and the subsequent multi-front war.
Lt. Gen. Zamir instructed commanders to adhere to established military procedures during sensitive calendar dates falling within the campaign, including the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks and the memorial for Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
The IDF declined to issue formal comments regarding the Army Radio report.
According to reporting published by Jewish Business News and Israel National News, defense leadership continues to finalize logistical protocols to ensure secure balloting without compromising operational posture across active fronts.
