Israel Election Deadlocked: Exit Polls Show No Clear Majority for Netanyahu or Opposition

Exit polls released following Israel's pivotal election indicate a close contest with no clear winner. The election, widely considered the most significant in the nation's history, saw a tight race between incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot. According to the exit poll data, Netanyahu's bloc is projected to win approximately 50 seats, while Eisenkot's bloc is expected to secure 52 or 53 seats. A total of 61 seats are required to form a majority government. Arab parties are anticipated to collectively gain 18 seats.

Polling stations closed at 10 pm local time on October 27, 2026. Preliminary results are expected on Wednesday, with the final tally due on Friday. The official results will be published on November 4, eight days after the vote. Exit polls, which are based on interviews with voters immediately after casting their ballots, have historically been accurate in predicting election outcomes.

Voter turnout for this election reached 74.3 percent as of 8 pm, according to the Central Elections Committee, surpassing the 70.63 percent turnout recorded in the 2022 election. The Central Elections Committee denied a request from Netanyahu's Likud Party to extend voting hours.

This election is the first since Israel's military actions in Gaza began three years ago, following Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. It is largely viewed as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership and his handling of the events of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent conflicts.