"In a joint statement last month, more than a dozen nongovernmental organisations said the process means al-Sharaa can effectively shape a parliamentary majority composed of individuals he selected or ensured loyalty from, which risked undermining the principle of pluralism essential to any genuine democratic process. You can call the process what you like, but not elections, Bassam Alahmad, executive director of France-based Syrians for Truth and Justice, one of the organisations to have signed the statement, told the AFP news agency."
"The remaining representatives will not be voted on directly by the people, but chosen instead by electoral colleges around the country. Critics say the system favours well-connected figures and is likely to keep power concentrated in the hands of Syria's new rulers, rather than paving the way for genuine democratic change. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa will directly appoint one-third of the deputies [File: Stephanie Lecocq/AFP]"
Syria is holding parliamentary elections for the first time since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, with a hybrid system selecting lawmakers. Two-thirds of deputies will be chosen by local electoral colleges rather than by direct popular vote. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa will appoint one-third of the 210-seat People's Assembly directly. Critics and a coalition of nongovernmental organisations warn that the arrangement allows al-Sharaa to shape a loyal parliamentary majority and undermines pluralism. Voting has been postponed in Suwayda and parts of the northeast under Kurdish-led control due to tensions between local authorities and Damascus.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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