Associates of Vice Premier Shimon Peres have stepped up their efforts to gain a majority to amend the current law in order to enable an open-ballot election, as opposed to the current secret ballot policy. The key to such a majority lies with Shas, which has strongly opposed such a move.

Ultra-Orthodox sources said Wednesday that Shas intends to back Peres' candidacy for president. According to Yossi Elituv, a commentator with the Haredi weekly Mishpacha, senior Shas members told Peres "in no uncertain terms" that Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Shas' spiritual leader supports his candidacy.

The report also says that Peres was told that Yosef would "instruct his party's MKs to vote for him."

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However, Shas' declared support is unlikely to sway the party to alter its view on the balloting procedure.

Peres' associates are waiting for the Knesset House Committee decision on whether to authorize President Katsav's request to temporarily suspend himself. If his request is approved, there is enough time to change the Basic Law on the President. If the president opts to resign or is impeached, then Peres' associates will be facing tight time constraints.

Meanwhile, Tel Aviv's rabbi, Israel Meir Lau, who is considering running as well, is keeping a low media profile.

"It is no secret that there is public pressure on the rabbi to run for the presidency," a statement from his office read. "However, at this time the matter is not on the agenda, and the rabbi has nothing to say about this matter."