Syria's Parliamentary Elections: An Overview
Background
Syria is conducting parliamentary elections for the first time since the ousting of Bashar Assad, who was removed in a rebel offensive. Historically, elections under the Assad dynasty were viewed as non-genuine, with the Baath Party consistently dominating. The upcoming elections are not fully democratic, with a mixed system of electoral colleges and appointments.
Election System
- The People's Assembly comprises 210 seats.
- Two-thirds of the seats will be filled by electoral colleges, and one-third appointed by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
- Electoral colleges will vote in 60 districts, but elections are postponed in Sweida and Kurdish-controlled areas due to local tensions.
- In practice, approximately 6,000 electoral college members will vote in 50 districts for about 120 seats.
- The largest districts are Aleppo and Damascus, with 700 and 500 electoral college members, respectively.
- Candidates are individuals as all existing political parties were dissolved.
Challenges of Popular Vote
The interim authorities argue that creating a voter registry is impractical due to displacement from the civil war. The current parliamentary term is 30 months, intended to prepare for future popular elections. Critics highlight the lack of clear criteria for selecting electoral colleges and potential for manipulation.
Inclusivity Concerns
- No quotas exist for women or minority representation in parliament.
- Women constitute 20% of electoral college members but only 14% of candidates on final lists.
- The exclusion of certain provinces raises representation concerns, especially for minorities like Alawites and Druze.
- The government's districting strategy avoided merging minority-majority areas with Sunni-majority districts.
- The appointed one-third of the parliament might address inclusivity by ensuring minority and female representation.
Conclusion
The elections, while not fully democratic, are seen as a step towards inclusivity. However, the absence of Sweida and Kurdish areas in the electoral process remains a significant issue, highlighting ongoing disputes with the central government in Damascus.
