Israel is undermining election oversight without a state comptroller – opinion

Since early July, Israel has been without a state comptroller, a critical role for auditing state operations and overseeing elections, due to Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana's failure to implement a Supreme Court order for a repeat vote. This absence is particularly problematic during the current election season, as the comptroller supervises party finances, issues directives, and audits candidate reports, ensuring compliance with campaign finance laws. Without this oversight, intra-party primaries are proceeding without the usual scrutiny, potentially undermining fair competition and public trust. The article states, "The rules of the game remain in place, but the referee has disappeared from the field." Additionally, the lack of a comptroller means no new reports can be published, no new examinations launched, and no protective orders issued for whistleblowers, leaving public servants vulnerable. The authors emphasize that correcting this situation merely requires complying with the law and the High Court's ruling to complete the election of a state comptroller.