Chief justice reportedly offers US-born justice the position if fresh vote is called this week; predecessor Hanan Melcer has said 'no chance' he'll do it again

Hanan Melcer positively cites Israel's use of paper ballots rather than computerized system, says anonymous campaign ads on social media way down after ban

After overseeing April and September elections, Supreme Court Justice Hanan Melcer says 'no chance' he'll again head Central Elections Committee

Melcer also passes along testimony from poll watchers who said they arrived at posts on election day to learn someone else already there claiming to be them

Presenting tally after a week of counting, Justice Hanan Melcer says commission proved its role as 'a steadfast protector of Israeli democracy'

Prior to presentation of final tally to President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday, lawyers, Central Elections Committee officials, work into the night to review 2,000 polling stations

As PM pushed for 'far-reaching' response to Gaza rocket that forced him off stage, national security adviser said to have told Hanan Melcer last week elections might be put off

Central Elections Committee head says media can still take photos of leaders as they cast their ballots, though candidates and MKs must not campaign

If polls are in the ballpark, Netanyahu's tactics will have worked and next Knesset will represent more hawkish Israeli electorate, undeterred by his attacks on media, cops, judges

Prime minister insists that law enforcement not properly probing ballot infractions in Arab sector, but evidence suggests that minority no more of a problem than other sectors