Syrian electors vote in indirect election for first post-Assad parliament
Members of Syria's electoral colleges will gather on Sunday to vote for new lawmakers, a milestone in the country's shift following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad and a major test of inclusivity under the current authorities.
Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who came to power after his rebel offensive toppled Assad in December, is trying to consolidate his hold over a nation fractured by a 14-year war and bouts of sectarian violence that have fueled distrust of him among minorities.
The indirect vote will see a combined 6,000 electors cast ballots at regional electoral colleges starting around 9:00 a.m., with polls closing around 5:00 p.m.
A committee appointed by Sharaa approved 1,570 candidates, who showcased their platforms in seminars and debates this week. Public electioneering, however, was muted, with no posters or billboards visible in major cities, Reuters reporters said.
Sunday's vote will determine two-thirds of the 210-seat parliament, with results expected the same night. The legislature will not be formally established, however, until Sharaa, a former Al Qaeda fighter, selects the remaining third.
Authorities said they resorted to this system rather than universal suffrage due to a lack of reliable population data and 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 these moves, saying a partial and indirect vote is unrepresentative and too centrally managed.
Analysts say Sharaa's selection of 70 lawmakers will ultimately determine the new body's effectiveness and legitimacy: choosing women or minority lawmakers could add diversity, while loyalists could help him issue laws without legislative challenge.
Reuters
Members of Syria's electoral colleges will gather on Sunday to vote for new lawmakers, a milestone in the country's shift following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad and a major test of inclusivity under the current authorities.
Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who came to power after his rebel offensive toppled Assad in December, is trying to consolidate his hold over a nation fractured by a 14-year war and bouts of sectarian violence that have fueled distrust of him among minorities.
The indirect vote will see a combined 6,000 electors cast ballots at regional electoral colleges starting around 9:00 a.m., with polls closing around 5:00 p.m.
A committee appointed by Sharaa approved 1,570 candidates, who showcased their platforms in seminars and debates this week. Public electioneering, however, was muted, with no posters or billboards visible in major cities, Reuters reporters said.
Sunday's vote will determine two-thirds of the 210-seat parliament, with results expected the same night. The legislature will not be formally established, however, until Sharaa, a former Al Qaeda fighter, selects the remaining third.
Authorities said they resorted to this system rather than universal suffrage due to a lack of reliable population data and 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 these moves, saying a partial and indirect vote is unrepresentative and too centrally managed.
Analysts say Sharaa's selection of 70 lawmakers will ultimately determine the new body's effectiveness and legitimacy: choosing women or minority lawmakers could add diversity, while loyalists could help him issue laws without legislative challenge.
Reuters
Members of Syria's electoral colleges will gather on Sunday to vote for new lawmakers, a milestone in the country's shift following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad and a major test of inclusivity under the current authorities.
Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who came to power after his rebel offensive toppled Assad in December, is trying to consolidate his hold over a nation fractured by a 14-year war and bouts of sectarian violence that have fueled distrust of him among minorities.
The indirect vote will see a combined 6,000 electors cast ballots at regional electoral colleges starting around 9:00 a.m., with polls closing around 5:00 p.m.
A committee appointed by Sharaa approved 1,570 candidates, who showcased their platforms in seminars and debates this week. Public electioneering, however, was muted, with no posters or billboards visible in major cities, Reuters reporters said.
Sunday's vote will determine two-thirds of the 210-seat parliament, with results expected the same night. The legislature will not be formally established, however, until Sharaa, a former Al Qaeda fighter, selects the remaining third.
Authorities said they resorted to this system rather than universal suffrage due to a lack of reliable population data and 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 these moves, saying a partial and indirect vote is unrepresentative and too centrally managed.
Analysts say Sharaa's selection of 70 lawmakers will ultimately determine the new body's effectiveness and legitimacy: choosing women or minority lawmakers could add diversity, while loyalists could help him issue laws without legislative challenge.
Reuters
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Syrian electors vote in indirect election for first post-Assad parliament
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