Syrian electors solid ballots in oblique vote for first post-Assad parliament

Members of Syria’s electoral faculties will collect on Sunday (October 5, 2025) to vote for brand spanking new lawmakers, a milestone within the nation’s shift away from the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad and a significant check of inclusivity beneath its present Islamist-led authorities.

President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who got here to energy after his insurgent offensive toppled Assad in December, is making an attempt to consolidate his maintain over a nation fractured by a 14-year battle and bouts of sectarian violence that fuelled mistrust of him amongst minorities.

The oblique vote will see a mixed 6,000 electors solid ballots at regional electoral faculties beginning round 9:00 a.m. native (0600 GMT), with polls closing round 5:00 p.m. (1400 GMT).

A committee appointed by Sharaa authorised 1,570 candidates who showcased their platforms in seminars and debates this week. But public electioneering was muted, with no posters or billboards seen in main cities, Reuters reporters stated.

Sunday’s vote will decide two-thirds of the 210-seat parliament, and outcomes are anticipated the identical evening. But the legislature is not going to be formally established till Sharaa, a former Al Qaeda fighter, selects the remaining third.

The authorities say they resorted to this method reasonably than common suffrage resulting from a scarcity of dependable inhabitants information and following the displacement of tens of millions of Syrians by the battle.

Citing safety and political causes, they postponed the vote in three provinces held by minority teams – leaving 19 seats in parliament empty.

Critics have slammed these strikes, saying a partial and oblique vote is unrepresentative and too centrally managed.

Analysts say Sharaa’s choice of 70 lawmakers will in the end decide the brand new physique’s effectiveness and legitimacy: selecting ladies or minority lawmakers might add range, however loyalists might assist him to situation legal guidelines with out a legislative problem.