Syria wraps up its first parliamentary vote since regime change

The first parliamentary elections in Syria following the overthrow of Assad’s regime were held on October 5.

According to SANA, the elections were indirect: 70 members of parliament were appointed by the country’s president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, while another 140 were elected by electors chosen from the composition of election commissions formed by the government.

The total number of registered electors was about 6,000, who considered 1,570 candidates for parliament.

The Syrian government believes that holding a general election is “currently impossible due to difficulties in accurately registering voters.”

In addition, direct voting in some areas of the country would have to be postponed for security reasons. These areas include the northeastern provinces controlled by the Kurds, as well as southern territories where clashes previously occurred between Bedouin tribes and the Druze religious minority.

Parliamentary elections were initially scheduled for September 15–20. However, the election commission postponed them to early October “for logistical reasons.”

By Khagan Isayev