(Ynetnews) The Knesset was officially dissolved at midnight Wednesday as the deadline to form a new government passed, almost three months after Israel last went to the polls.

Israeli law states that should no government be formed within the allotted period after an election, parliament is dissolved and a fresh ballot will take place after 90 days. But that would clash with Purim holiday, forcing lawmakers to change the date.

The speedy movement on the legislation came after the Knesset Arrangements Committee agreed Wednesday morning to waive the usual period for passing a bill.

Barring a near impossible breakthrough in coalition efforts, the bill is expected to pass and set March 2, 2020 as the date of the unprecedented third round of elections within a 12-month period.

With the bill not passing before midnight, MKs were then left to vote or new elections would automatically be set for March 10.