Labor Party members head to the polls today to elect a new party chairman. Each of the candidates -- Defense Minister Binyamin (Fuad) Ben-Eliezer and Knesset Speaker Avraham (Avrum) Burg -- expressed confidence in his chances of victory in what has been described as a lackluster side election.

More than 500 polling stations opened around the country this morning to accommodate some 117,000 Labor Party members entitled to exercise their right to vote in today's ballot. Media reports speculate that only half of the party members will actually vote, as interest in the election has been minimal and follows the decline in Labor Party fortunes following the defeat of former party chairman and prime minister, Ehud Barak, in the special elections held in February. Initial results of the ballot are not expected before midnight.

Recent public opinion polls forecasted a tight race between the two candidates. Yesterday, Ben-Eliezer released the results of a poll showing him with a 2-percentage point advantage, his first lead after all previous surveys had shown Burg ahead. Burg said that he didn't relate to opinion polls, and that the real survey was taking place at polling stations today. The decisive factor in the ballot is the 20% surveyed who had not yet decided which candidate to vote for.

The campaign for party chairman became bitter and personal in the last few days, with Burg supporters claiming that Ben-Eliezer would turn the party into Likud Two (due to Ben-Eliezer's hawkish support of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon) and Ben-Eliezer supporters charging that Burg would take the party leftwards and out of the national unity government. Deputy Transportation Minister Avi Yehezkel, a Burg supporter, accused Ben-Eliezer of attempts to "buy" Labor Party votes. Ben-Eliezer supporters said they would station "observers" at polling stations in the Israeli Arab sector, where voters are expected to support Burg.

Ben-Eliezer and Burg both confident of victory
Last night Ben-Eliezer announced that former Prime Minister Ehud Barak would not be returning to politics in the coming years. "Ehud told me that he doesn't see himself in politics in the next seven or eight years," Ben-Eliezer said. Barak had previously endorsed Ben-Eliezer's candidacy as the person most suitable "at this time" to lead the Labor Party, a statement regarded by media analysts indicating his own imminent return to politics.

Ben-Eliezer has seen himself as the underdog candidate in the campaign for Labor Party leadership, but remained confident in his upcoming victory. "After a campaign that has taken the other side three years and me three months, victory will be mine," he told reporters yesterday.

Ben-Eliezer promised to close Labor party ranks after his victory. "I intend to invite Burg to work alongside me," he said. "It is important to have him. He is a skilled man with a lot of potential."

Burg confidently predicted his own victory yesterday. "Tuesday night a new Labor chairman will take over, plus a new leadership team with energy that will carry us to the next general elections," he told reporters.

Burg said that immediately after he was elected he would work on two tasks -- ensuring Labor's role as the largest political party in the country and helping pave the way towards victory in the next elections.

The Burg camp claims that public opinion polls show him with a double-digit lead over his rival. Burg claims support from two major Labor Party camps, kibbutz members and Israeli Arabs, and efforts will be made to ensure that these voters go to the polls.

Burg said this morning that after the elections he hoped that Ben-Eliezer would be able to devote himself full-time to the job of Defense Minister. Burg indicated that he would resign from the post of Knesset Speaker if elected as Labor Party chairman.

Labor leaders refuse to endorse candidates
Foreign Affairs Minister Shimon Peres refused to endorse either of the two candidates, preferring to remain "uninvolved" in the race. Both Burg and Ben-Eliezer have stated their intentions to appoint Peres to an honorary position as Labor Party President if elected.

Many other leading Labor party members have also remained neutral in the leadership battle. Former minister Haim Ramon, once a close associate of Burg, has not publicly endorsed him. Former Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami; Industry and Trade Minister Dalia Itzik; Science, Culture and Sport Minister Matan Vilnai; and Knesset Law Committee chairman Ophir Pines-Paz have made no commitments as well.

Labor Party General Director Raanan Cohen said he hoped both candidates would ensure that the elections would be held properly. "I am convinced that the day after the elections, the party will consolidate behind the candidate elected," he said, promising that a united, Labor Party would be led on a path towards a return to power.

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