Damascus (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Syria is conducting its first parliamentary elections on Sunday, ten months after insurgent groups, led by Ahmed al-Shara—the current president—defeated Bashar al-Assad, ending a brutal civil war.
Experts have regarded the elections as a move toward democracy following years of dictatorship under the Assad family, who have governed the country with strict control for over fifty years.
How are Syria’s first elections after the war being conducted?
Mr. al-Shara’s government established an electoral committee to oversee the process. This committee appointed various regional bodies responsible for selecting members of local electoral councils, which then vetted candidates.
As reported, approximately 6,000 members will select from 1,578 candidates at regional electoral colleges, with polling stations closing at 5 pm local time. While two-thirds of the representatives will be elected this way, the remaining seats will be filled by Syria’s interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa. He will appoint a third of the 210 members of Parliament directly.
The election will not be conducted nationwide, and Syrians will not vote directly for candidates because the government states that the country continues to face major administrative challenges following the civil war’s end. For example, many lack identification documents and remain displaced from their homes.
In the northeast, areas of Raqqa and Hasakah Provinces controlled by a Kurdish-led administration will be excluded. And the entire southern province of Sweida will also be left out.
Why are many former Assad allies disqualified from running?
The electoral committee decided that many individuals in the country were disallowed from running for Parliament. This included individuals linked to or supporting the Assad regime, such as former parliamentarians, unless they had already resigned or defected.
The list of disqualified candidates also encompasses: individuals with a criminal record; those under 25 years old; persons involved in terrorist organizations; and individuals who have promoted separatism, partition, or sought foreign intervention. Those who did not have Syrian citizenship before 2011, the year the civil war started, were also excluded.
When were the last parliamentary elections held?
The most recent legislative elections in Syria were conducted on April 13, 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and continued conflict, generating a 33.17% activity level among eligible voters in about 70% of Syrian territory. The National Progressive Front, with its allied parties, maintained its legislative majority, with the Ba’ath Party continuing to have a hold on the control of the People’s Council.
The pro-government National Progressive Front and its allies won 183 of the 250 parliamentary seats, with the Ba’ath Party securing 66.8% of the seats, maintaining dominant control. Independent candidates won 67 seats.
