🔗 Share this article

Authorities are holding its inaugural legislative polls following the downfall of its longtime ruler, marking a cautious advancement for democratic processes that have faced criticism as potentially biased in favor of the nation's transitional authorities.

Legislative Body Election

As the war-torn nation progresses through its post-Assad political transition, local committee members are beginning the important step of electing a transitional parliament.

A third of parliamentary positions will be directly appointed through the transitional head in an action viewed as consolidating his power. The other 67% will be chosen via regional electoral bodies, with positions assigned according to population.

Electoral Process Details

Nationwide balloting has been excluded since transitional leaders explained the extensive movement of population and paper disappearance during wartime years would cause this step unfeasible currently.

"There are various pending legislation that require approval to move forward with development and prosperity efforts. Restoring the country represents a shared responsibility, and the entire population needs to engage in this effort."

The transitional government dissolved Syria's previous rubber-stamp legislature after assuming power.

Legislative Body Structure

The freshly formed 210-representative assembly, termed the Citizens' Parliament, will be responsible for passing fresh voting laws and a constitution. According to organizational committees, over 1,500 contenders – merely 14% female representation – are competing for seats in the assembly, that will function having a renewable 30-month duration while preparing for future elections.

Candidate Requirements

According to specified guidelines, aspiring representatives cannot endorse the previous government while refraining from advocating secession or partition.

Among those running is Syrian-American the aspirant Henry, the inaugural Jewish candidate in over eight decades.

Local Poll Suspensions

Polling events were delayed without timeline in Druze-majority Sweida and in areas governed by Kurdish-dominated groups due to ongoing tensions among regional officials and Damascus.

Mixed Reactions

Skeptics maintain the electoral college mechanism could advantage influential figures, offering the provisional leadership disproportionate influence while marginalizing certain ethnic and spiritual communities. But, for some analysts, the election represented an advancement sign.

Citizen Stories

Upon receiving an invitation from poll organizers to join the electoral college, Dr. Daaboul, a physician in the capital, explained her initial rejection, worried about the obligation and poor reputation of previous assemblies. But after understanding she would merely serve as part of the voting body, she consented, describing it as "a patriotic responsibility".

During voting day, she commented: "This represents my first voting experience ever. I'm content, and I'm prepared waiting in extended queues."

Committee member Eezouki, an electoral commission member based in Damascus, noted that the current legislature contains every faith group and demographic sections and called it "the unprecedented moment in Syrian history that voting actually determines – when outcomes aren't predetermined".

Former soldier Halabi, once employed under Assad's rule yet switched sides after widespread demonstrations encountered violent responses and sparked internal conflict in 2011, commented: "This represents the first instance during our existence we've engaged in a democratic electoral procedure without external pressure."