Last update - 00:00 22/10/2006
MKs propose nixing secret ballot in vote for president
By Gideon Alon , Haaretz Correspondent
MKs Yoram Marciano (Labor) and Yoel Hasson (Kadima) on Sunday proposed amending the Basic Law on the President of the State and holding an open vote, rather than secret ballot, when electing the next president.
"The open vote will end all back-room deals, which took place in the 2000 presidential race when Katsav beat Peres," said Marciano, adding that in that election, a few MKs that promised to support Peres used the secret ballot procedure to throw their allegiance to Katsav.
MK Hasson said that in the secret ballot method political and internal interests trample public interests, resulting in candidates that aren't necessarily the public's preference. He said the open vote would force MKs to vote for the candidate best for public interest.
"The clarity and publicity of the vote will prevent MKs from weighing personal and irrelevant considerations when voting for president," Hasson said.
MK Gideon Sa'ar, Likud's faction head in Knesset, opposed the proposal, which he said would change the Basic Law just to satisfy Shimon Peres's candidacy.
Sa'ar said the aim of the proposal is to take away MKs' freedom to vote, and would revert the presidential vote to be directed by coalition and partisan agreements.
The Knesset uses the secret ballot method when choosing president, state comptroller, and chairmen of various Knesset committees.
Shas and Meretz will discuss the proposal for open ballots on in their meeting Monday.