as Prime Minister Ariel Sharon tried to calm the population following a vote selling scandal that has rocked his Likud fraction.
The central allegation is that powerful members of the Likud’s central committee forced candidates for Parliament to pay to be placed in a favorably spot to win a seat during the Likud primary on December 8 in the Tel Aviv fairgrounds.
During and before the balloting, candidates allegedly provided key voters with money and even sexual services as well as steak meals, traditional North African couscous, beer on tap and laser-light shows in a carnival atmosphere.
SURPRISE OUTCOME
The results of the vote were in some cases surprising as popular figures including Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert faired poorly, while relative unknowns – including a 27-year-old waitress Inbal Gavrieli, won top spots.
Gavrieli, whose parents reportedly run a casino business, has been described by media as a "good-looking former waitress in Tel Aviv without adequate education and no knowledge of civil affairs."
Although the young woman was apparently not a member six weeks ago, Gavrieli will likely help Prime Minister Sharon to return to power in elections next month as she has been placed at number 31 on the Likud list.
BUYING AND SELLING
Buying and selling primary votes has been considered common both in the Likud and its chief opponent, the left leaning Labor Party, but political experts say it has never been so open.
The Labor Party chose its list of candidates in a primary election among its 110,000 members last week amid some published complaints of vote fraud.
The Movement for Quality Government has reportedly asked that the general election be postponed if necessary, to conclude the Likud investigation.
POLLS CONTINUE
However the Election Commission has suggested that the election polls will go ahead as planned. Recent polls suggest, however, that Likud’s strong lead over Labor has been impacted by the scandal.
Some polls have suggested that Likud could win 35 or 36 seats in the 120-seat Parliament, down from around 40 before the scandal broke. Labor is expected to win about 23.
