IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has ordered heightened military readiness ahead of Israel’s October 27 election, including a suspension of planned leave for soldiers.

Zamir held a security assessment with senior military officers on Monday morning. During the meeting, he “stressed that the IDF’s mission is to enable the democratic elections to take place on schedule and safely,” according to an official statement.

Israel’s election is scheduled for October 27.

Zamir said the military is “on the highest state of alert and will continue to maintain a high level of vigilance and readiness across all fronts” in the days ahead.

Beginning Thursday, soldiers across IDF units will be subject to a freeze on leave, requiring them to remain at their bases rather than take scheduled time off. The order will remain in effect “subject to ongoing situational assessments.”

The chief of staff also directed the military to increase the number of senior officers present in command centers “to ensure operational readiness and capability.”

Additional forces will be sent to Central Command, which oversees the West Bank. Reinforcements will include personnel from the Paratroopers Brigade headquarters and other units “to strengthen the deployment in the area and increase the presence on the ground,” Zamir said. According to the military, the Paratroopers Brigade headquarters will establish a dedicated task force headquarters in the area between the Samaria and Binyamin regional brigades.

Zamir further ordered additional forces to be assigned to other operational sectors “according to operational needs, in the air, at sea and on land.”

Meanwhile, the IDF plans to begin setting up at least 850 polling stations at military bases and outposts on Tuesday. The stations will operate through October 27, allowing military personnel stationed throughout Israel and at locations abroad to cast their ballots.