Syria is preparing to hold its first parliamentary elections since the recent fall of Bashar al-Assad, a move that is already generating controversy due to concerns about fairness and the exclusion of certain regions. The polls, scheduled for Sunday, will not involve direct voting for the People’s Assembly, the legislative body responsible for drafting laws during the crucial transitional period. Instead, two-thirds of the 210 seats will be filled through “electoral colleges,” with the remaining seats to be filled by presidential appointment.
This election marks a significant moment, occurring just 10 months after the ousting of long-time President Assad by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, following a protracted 13-year civil war. However, authorities have cited security concerns as the reason for postponing the vote in two provinces largely controlled by Kurdish forces, as well as a third province that experienced intense fighting between government troops and Druze militias in July.
These postponements highlight the ongoing instability in Syria. In a recent address to the UN General Assembly, the first by a Syrian leader in six decades, President Sharaa pledged to hold accountable all those responsible for past violence, including perpetrators of atrocities during Assad’s regime. He also committed to rebuilding Syria through the establishment of new institutions and laws that uphold the rights of all citizens.
The election oversight rests with the Higher Committee for the Syrian People’s Assembly Elections, whose members were appointed by the president in June. The allocation of seats in the 60 electoral districts is based on 2010 census data, a stark reminder of the country’s pre-war state before the devastating conflict began.
The decision to exclude Raqqa, Hassakeh, and Suweida provinces means that only 50 of the 60 districts will participate in electing representatives for approximately 120 seats. This exclusion has drawn criticism from civil society groups, who fear it compromises the democratic integrity of the elections. They argue that the executive authority’s influence over the electoral process and parliamentary composition undermines the independence and representative nature of the assembly, potentially making the elections merely symbolic.
The Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) has also voiced criticism, with Thouraya Mustafa stating that the government’s approach mirrors the “previous authoritarian mentality” and denies the Syrian people their right to participate in free elections. Meanwhile, residents in areas with ongoing tensions, like Suweida, have expressed skepticism, viewing the process more as an appointment than a genuine election, highlighting a lack of transparency and direct public involvement.