Damascus: Syria is set to hold parliamentary elections on Sunday for the first time since the overthrow of long-time authoritarian ruler Bashar al-Assad, marking a significant moment in the country's transition after nearly 14 years of conflict. The process, however, is raising concerns about whether power will remain concentrated with the new rulers, rather than fostering genuine democratic change.
According to Ghana News Agency, the revamped People's Assembly will comprise 210 members, reduced from the previous 250. A third of the seats, amounting to 70 deputies, will be appointed directly by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a provision that critics argue ensures his influence over the legislature. Khaled Mar'i, a teacher from rural Damascus, commented on the situation, stating, "It is not about competence, but about personal calculations."
Instead of allowing ordinary Syrians to cast their votes, a multi-stage process is being implemented. Government-appointed electoral bodies will select electors, who will then choose the deputies in the final round. Observers suggest that this system favors those with connections and perpetuates nepotism, reminiscent of the tightly controlled politics during the al-Assad era.
Adding to the complexity, elections will not take place in certain regions. The transitional government has postponed voting in Sweida and parts of Hassakah and Raqqa, citing security concerns. These areas are home to Druze and Kurdish communities often at odds with Damascus, leaving their future representation in parliament uncertain.
Al-Assad's fall last December ended more than half a century of family rule. Syria, a nation of 23 million, is now led by al-Sharaa, the former commander of the Islamist faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which played a role in toppling al-Assad. Al-Sharaa now faces the challenge of converting a military victory into political legitimacy.
The transitional government defends the complex electoral procedure as a pragmatic necessity, highlighting the millions of displaced people lacking identity documents and the widespread destruction of infrastructure. Entire towns remain in ruins, and shortages of electricity, fuel, and basic services make nationwide polling unfeasible.
Despite these explanations, skepticism persists. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who control large portions of the country's northeast, criticize the process for lacking inclusivity. SDF spokesman Farhad al-Shami remarked, "The upcoming elections do not offer any signs of real change in Syria."
Many Syrians feel a mix of relief and frustration. While some are glad that a political institution might take shape, others are disillusioned by a system seemingly designed to entrench a new elite. Majed Abdul Nour, a member of the electoral committee in Aleppo, noted, "For now, the parliamentary vote is seen less as a breakthrough than as another interim step in a country still struggling to define its future."
Applications for electoral committees were divided into two categories: professionals and notables. University degrees were required for the first group, and high school diplomas for the second. Over 6,500 people applied, though some later withdrew.
Mohammad Taha al-Ahmad, head of the Supreme Committee for People's Assembly Elections, defended the elections, stating, "The committee has worked with all its effort to ensure the success of the elections despite Syria's difficult conditions." However, not everyone concurs. Mzeil al-Ali, a member of the Quneitra electoral committee, resigned, criticizing the policy of the Supreme Committee for excluding "the sons of the revolution" and turning the elections into a "mock play." He added, "I refuse to be a mere extra in a show scripted by people benefitting from this charade."
