🔗 Share this article

Authorities are holding its inaugural legislative polls after the removal of the previous regime, representing a tentative advancement for electoral democracy that have faced criticism due to alleged partiality toward the country's provisional government.

Transitional Parliament Selection

As the war-torn nation progresses through its political transformation after Assad, regional council representatives are beginning the important step of electing a transitional parliament.

One-third of assembly seats will be directly appointed through the transitional head in a move interpreted as strengthening his influence. The remaining two-thirds will be elected using territorial voting assemblies, with seats allocated based on demographic numbers.

Election Mechanism Facts

Direct popular voting has been excluded since transitional leaders explained the extensive movement of population and documentation loss during wartime years would render this action impractical at this stage.

"There are multiple outstanding laws needing ratification so we can advance with development and advancement work. Rebuilding Syria represents a shared responsibility, with every citizen should participate in this effort."

The provisional leadership abolished the earlier rubber-stamp legislature following their takeover.

Parliament Makeup

The freshly formed 210-seat body, termed the Citizens' Parliament, will undertake enacting new electoral legislation and foundational law. Per coordinating bodies, more than 1,500 candidates – only 14% women – are contesting for spots in the legislature, which will operate under a renewable 30-month duration while arranging future elections.

Candidate Requirements

According to specified guidelines, potential candidates cannot endorse the ousted leadership and cannot encourage secession or partition.

Among those running appears a Syrian-American the candidate Hamra, the pioneering Jewish nominee in over eight decades.

Local Poll Suspensions

Polling events were delayed without timeline in the predominantly Druze Sweida region plus in zones administered by Kurdish-dominated groups due to ongoing tensions involving area administrations and the central government.

Differing Opinions

Critics contend the electoral college mechanism may favor influential figures, giving the transitional government unfair edge while marginalizing certain ethnic and faith groups. Yet, according to different commentators, the poll signaled a progressive step.

Citizen Stories

After being contacted by poll organizers to become part of the voting assembly, Lina Daaboul, a physician in the capital, said she first refused, concerned about the duty and poor reputation of previous assemblies. But after understanding her role would only involve as part of the voting body, she accepted, labeling it "a patriotic responsibility".

When polls opened, the doctor stated: "This represents the initial time I've voted in my lifetime. I'm happy, and I don't mind waiting in extended queues."

Committee member Eezouki, an electoral commission member from the capital, emphasized that the new assembly incorporates all religious sects and demographic sections and described it as "the historic first occasion in Syrian history where ballot boxes genuinely govern – absent fixed conclusions".

The ex-military Halabi, once employed under Assad's rule though he abandoned subsequent to large-scale opposition rallies met with harsh crackdowns and sparked internal conflict in the 2011 period, commented: "This signifies the inaugural occasion throughout our lifetime we've taken part in an open election mechanism lacking foreign interference."