Damascus20 minutes ago
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Syrian interim President Ahmed Al-Shra.
Parliamentary elections have been held in Syria after about 14 years. A country that was destroyed by the dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad and 13 years long civil war. When voting started in Damascus on Sunday morning, it was described as ‘beginning of the new era’ after the end of the Assad era.
Interim President Ahmed al-Shra took power after being coup in December last year. He had promised that this election would be the first step towards ‘democratic change’, but in reality the public did not get the right to vote.
In the 210-member Parliament, 7 thousand selected election college members voted in two-thirds i.e. 140 seats, which were selected by the government committees appointed by the government. The remaining 70 seats will be filled with the appointment of Shara itself.
Members of the Syrian electoral college are in queue to cast their votes in a parliamentary election at a polling station on Sunday.
General public out of election process
Both the general public and political parties are out of the election process. The biggest dispute is of ‘absence of public’. According to critics, this election is an exercise to strengthen the validity of the Shara government, not the symbol of the will of the people.
International experts say, this first ‘Parliament after independence’ of Syria may be a step towards democracy, but without the participation of the people, it has become a formal face of change of power. Interim President Ahmed Al-Shra’s victory in this election is certain.
Candidate Nahil al-Jarba cast his vote at a polling station in Latakia, Syria.
Learn about the election from the answer to 5 questions …
What is the election process in Syria?
The new Parliament of Syria has 210 members. Out of these, 7,000 Electoral College members are voting for 140 seats.
These members have been appointed by the government. The remaining members will appoint interim President Ahmed al-Shra directly.
What does reserve seats mean for the President?
Through the 70 seats appointed by President Shara, it has been said to represent women, minorities and allies.
According to critics, these seats will ensure the permanent majority of the government.
When will the election results come?
Voting took place on 5 October. Initial results will be released on 6 October while the final result will be released on 7 October at the interim President Ahmed Al-Shra Joint Press Conference.
Why is the public not voting?
The government says that it is impossible to prepare census and voter list due to civil war and displacement.
Crores of people are without documents. Therefore, instead of direct public opinion, this limited process has been adopted.
Who is likely to win?
The decisive victory of Shara supporters in Parliament is considered to be fixed due to 70 seats being filled with appointment of Shara.
Asad’s party and rebels rejected the election
1. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)- This organization, active in the north-western Syria, is describing elections as ‘drama of power of Damascus’.
He says that the interim President Ahmed Al-Shra government is far from the real representation of the country, because it did not give the public the right to vote.
2. Assad pro-group- Bashar al-Assad’s party called it a ‘puppet election’. They allege that Shara came to power only with the help of Western countries and is now running a showy process to prove validity.
3. International Human Rights Organization- Many NGOs in Europe said that it is not democratic but administrative elections. In these, there is no transparent list of candidates and the selection process of voters is completely under the control of the government.
Russia-China and Iran supported
1. Russia and China- Both countries have described these elections as an essential step towards Syria’s stability. He says that immediate referendum is impossible in a war -torn country, so interim structure is the practical option.
2. Iran- Iran, considering the Shara government as the center of reconstruction of Syria, said that elections are guaranteed political continuity in the country and the opposition will be included over time.
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