Particle.news
Download on the App Store
13 ARTICLES
·
33m ago

Syria Holds Indirect Vote to Form First Post-Assad Parliament

Authorities say the limited process is a stopgap during a 30-month transition as displacement hinders direct elections.

Syria will select members for its first parliament since Islamist rebels overthrew Bashar al-Assad
Image
Image
A Syrian passes posters showing Syrian-American Jewish candidate Henry Hamra, a candidate for Sunday's parliamentary elections, in the Jewish neighbourhood of old Damascus on October 3. AP

Overview

  • About 6,000 electoral college members voted on Sunday to fill two-thirds of the 210-seat assembly, with the remaining 70 lawmakers to be appointed by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
  • Voting was postponed in Sweida and Kurdish-held northeastern districts, leaving roughly 32 seats vacant until conditions allow participation.
  • The electoral commission and local selection committees were appointed by al-Sharaa, prompting rights groups to warn the structure can engineer a loyal majority and lacks transparency.
  • There were no party campaigns after parties were dissolved, more than 1,500 candidates ran as independents with about 14% women, and eligibility rules bar Assad-era loyalists and secession advocates.
  • Officials say ballot boxes will be opened publicly with preliminary results announced the same day, appeals reviewed by committees, and final lists expected Monday or Tuesday.