Syria holds first elections since fall of Bashar al-Assad

"Syria is holding its first parliamentary elections since the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, in a tentative step towards democratic polls that have been criticised as biased in favour of the country's interim leaders. As the battle-ravaged country moves through its post-Assad political transition after more than a decade of civil war, members of local committees begin the significant milestone of selecting a transitional parliament."

"One-third of the assembly seats will be appointed directly by interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in a move seen as consolidating his power. The remaining two-thirds of the seats will be selected through province-based electoral colleges, with seats distributed by population. There was no direct popular vote as the interim authorities said the displacement of citizens and the loss of documents during the war years would make such a step impossible at this stage."

Syria held its first parliamentary elections since the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, creating a 210-member People's Assembly with a renewable 30-month mandate to prepare new election law and constitution. Interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa will appoint one-third of assembly seats, while the remaining two-thirds will be selected by province-based electoral colleges with seats allocated by population. No direct popular vote took place because displacement and lost documents were cited as obstacles. More than 1,500 candidates registered, 14% women. Candidates must not support the former regime or advocate secession. Elections were postponed in Sweida province and areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces.

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