Members of Syria’s electoral colleges yesterday gathered to vote for new lawmakers, a milestone in the country’s shift away from the ousted regime of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and a major test of inclusivity under its Muslim authorities.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who came to power after his rebel offensive toppled al-Assad in December last year, is trying to consolidate his hold over a nation fractured by a 14-year war and bouts of sectarian violence that fueled distrust of him among minorities.
The indirect vote was to see a combined 6,000 electors cast ballots at regional electoral colleges starting at about 9am, with polls closing at about 5pm.
Photo: AP
A committee appointed by al-Sharaa approved 1,570 candidates who showcased their platforms in seminars and debates last week. However, public electioneering was muted, with no posters or billboards visible in major cities.
Yesterday’s vote was to determine two-thirds of the 210-seat parliament. However, the legislature would not be formally established until al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda fighter, selects the remaining third.
The authorities say they resorted to this system rather than universal suffrage due to a lack of reliable population data and following the displacement of millions of Syrians by the war.
Citing security and political reasons, they postponed the vote in three provinces held by minority groups — leaving 19 seats in parliament empty.
Critics have slammed those moves, saying a partial and indirect vote is unrepresentative and too centrally managed.
Analysts say al-Sharaa’s selection of 70 lawmakers would determine the new body’s effectiveness and legitimacy: Choosing women or minority lawmakers could add diversity, but loyalists could help him to issue laws without a legislative challenge.
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