Image: ANI Digital X @ani_digital
Benjamin Foster | Staff Writer with Agencies
DAMASCUS, Oct 6 — Syria’s electoral authority on Monday revealed the official results of the country’s first parliamentary elections since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime. The vote, conducted under a transitional system, determined two-thirds of the seats in the 210-member People’s Assembly, with the remaining third to be appointed directly by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Nawar Najmeh, spokesperson for the Higher Committee for People’s Assembly Elections, announced at a press conference in Damascus that the results for the 140 elected seats are final and not subject to appeal. He emphasized that “every elected MP represents all Syrians regardless of affiliation” and described the new parliament as “critical and revolutionary, supporting and monitoring government performance.”
Seat Distribution and Special Allocations
The elections incorporated specific provisions to ensure representation of marginalized groups. Najmeh noted that 4% of the parliamentary seats were allocated to people with disabilities and those wounded during Syria’s 13-year civil war. However, he acknowledged shortcomings in representation, particularly for women and the Christian community, which holds only two seats despite its population size.
President Sharaa is expected to address some of these imbalances when appointing the remaining 70 seats. Najmeh clarified that this appointment process is separate from the electoral bodies and is intended to ensure broader representation.
Vacant Seats and Regional Challenges
Twenty-one seats remain vacant in the northeastern governorates of Raqqa and Hasakah, as well as in Suwayda in the south. The electoral committee will convene to determine the mechanism for holding elections in these provinces, with a timeline aligned to the March 10 agreement, integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into state institutions while emphasizing territorial integrity and rejecting separatist ambitions.
Suwayda has observed a ceasefire since July 19 following clashes between Druze groups, Bedouin tribes, and Israeli military strikes. The ongoing instability in these regions has delayed the completion of parliamentary representation.
Indirect Election System
The election held on Sunday was conducted indirectly, with approximately 6,000 voters selected from electoral bodies across Syria casting ballots to elect 140 members of the People’s Assembly. The system was designed to facilitate a transitional governance structure, balancing elected representation with presidential appointments to ensure stability during the political transition.
Mohammad Taha al-Ahmad, Committee Chair, stressed that “what we need are capable individuals, not sectarian quotas,” highlighting the focus on competency over identity politics in the new parliament.
Looking Ahead
While described as fair and transparent by electoral officials, the elections faced limitations due to population data gaps in certain regions, affecting seat allocation. As Syria moves forward, the completion of parliamentary representation in Raqqa, Hasakah, and Suwayda will be key to consolidating the new legislative body and supporting the country’s fragile transitional process.
The formation of the new People’s Assembly marks a significant milestone in Syria’s post-Assad political landscape, signaling both progress and the continuing challenges of governance, representation, and national reconciliation.