Officially, the presidency is a largely ceremonial office. But Peres, a former prime minister and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has risen above the post and turned it into a position with international gravitas.
Peres restored honor to the presidency after replacing disgraced politician Moshe Katsav, who was forced to leave office in 2007 to face sex-crimes allegations and who was later convicted of rape.
Peres, 90, quickly became one of the country`s most popular figures, finally winning the public adoration that eluded him for most of his seven-decade career. He also was warmly welcomed throughout the world.
The presidency is typically filled by a respected elder statesman who is expected to rise above politics and serve as a moral compass for the country, and whoever is elected likely will pale in comparison to Peres.
But the campaign also will be remembered for its ugly mudslinging. Candidates have complained about private investigators digging into their personal histories, and two campaigns were derailed by scandals.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu`s public standing also has taken a hit due to his attempts to shape the race.
Netanyahu repeatedly tried to block the candidacy of Reuven Rivlin, a former speaker of parliament and his rival in the ruling Likud Party. Most opinion polls show the 74-year-old Rivlin as the public`s preferred candidate.
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