On Sunday, Syria will hold significant parliamentary elections, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s transition away from the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad. The election, which will test the inclusivity of the current Islamist-led authorities, will see members of Syria’s electoral colleges gather to vote for new lawmakers.
Since President Ahmed al-Sharaa assumed power after his rebel forces ousted Assad in December, he has been focused on consolidating control over a nation ravaged by a 14-year civil war and ongoing sectarian violence. While Sharaa’s government aims to bring stability, many minority groups remain distrustful of his leadership, reports Reuters.
The indirect elections will involve 6,000 electors casting their votes in regional electoral colleges starting at 9:00 a.m. local time (0600 GMT), with polls set to close at 5:00 p.m. (1400 GMT). A committee appointed by Sharaa approved 1,570 candidates, who presented their platforms in seminars and debates this week. However, public campaigning has been subdued, with no visible election posters or billboards in the cities, according to Reuters reports.
The vote will decide two-thirds of the 210-seat parliament, with results expected on the same day. The remaining third of the legislature will be selected by Sharaa himself. Authorities cited the lack of reliable population data and the displacement of millions of Syrians due to the war as reasons for opting for an indirect voting system rather than universal suffrage. Additionally, the elections in three provinces with significant minority populations were postponed, leaving 19 parliamentary seats unfilled.
Critics have criticized the partial election system, claiming it is unrepresentative and too centralized. Analysts argue that Sharaa’s choice of 70 lawmakers will be critical in shaping the future legitimacy and functionality of the parliament. While selecting women and minority representatives could add diversity, choosing loyalists would help Sharaa implement laws without facing significant legislative opposition.
