Syrian electors cast ballots in indirect vote for first post-Assad parliament

Members of Syria’s electoral colleges are gathering on Sunday to vote for new lawmakers, a milestone in the country’s shift away from the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad and a major test of inclusivity under its current authorities.

President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who came to power after an armed opposition offensive toppled al-Assad in December, is trying to consolidate his hold over a nation fractured by a 14-year war and bouts of sectarian violence that fueled distrust of him among minorities.

The indirect vote will see a combined 6,000 electors cast ballots at regional electoral colleges that started at around 9:00 a.m. local (0600 GMT), with polls closing around 5:00 p.m. (1400 GMT).

A committee appointed by al-Sharaa approved 1,570 candidates who showcased their platforms in seminars and debates this week.

Sunday’s vote will determine two-thirds of the 210-seat parliament, and results are expected the same night. But the legislature will not be formally established until al-Sharaa selects the remaining third.

The authorities say they resorted to this system rather than universal suffrage due to a lack of reliable population data and following 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.