Syria holds first polls since Assad ouster

Syria conducted its first parliamentary elections since the overthrow of longtime leader Bashar al‑Assad, a milestone presented by officials as largely orderly and incident‑free as nearly 6,000 electors accredited by the Supreme Committee for Elections took part under a transitional political framework. The reconstituted 210‑member legislature was filled through a mixed mechanism: two‑thirds of seats were allocated via provincial electoral colleges while the remaining one‑third were directly appointed by interim President Ahmed al‑Sharaa. Authorities said polling proceeded on schedule across many parts of the country, with voters gathering at polling stations and ballots cast in a generally peaceful environment.

Nevertheless, the electoral process did not reach all areas. Voting in several regions was postponed because of security or administrative impediments, notably in territories controlled by Kurdish forces and in the Druze‑majority province of Suwayda, leaving certain constituencies without immediate representation and some seats temporarily vacant. The staggered and uneven conduct of the vote underscored the continuing fragmentation of control and the operational challenges of administering nationwide elections in a country emerging from long conflict.

Domestic proponents and interim authorities have framed the elections as a crucial step toward state rebuilding after 14 years of civil war and the political upheaval that culminated in last December’s regime change. Supporters argue that establishing a functioning People’s Assembly is essential for moving forward with the drafting of a new constitution, coordinating reconstruction projects, reinstating public services, and beginning structured processes of reconciliation and governance reform. They say the legislature will be central to defining policy priorities for recovering communities, rebuilding infrastructure and addressing the needs of millions displaced or otherwise affected by the conflict.

Critics inside Syria and among international observers, however, have raised prominent concerns about the legitimacy, inclusiveness and representative character of the election model. The use of indirect provincial electoral colleges for a majority of seats, combined with a significant quota of presidential appointments, has been criticised for concentrating political influence within the interim leadership and limiting direct popular participation in selecting lawmakers.

Authorities indicated that final results and arrangements for inaugurations will be announced in the coming days, after which the People’s Assembly will convene to begin its legislative work.