Syria’s First Elections Post-Assad: A Fragile Step Towards Democracy

On Sunday, October 5, Syria will hold its first elections since the end of a dictatorship that lasted over fifty years. The abrupt and unexpected fall of the Assad family regime in December has initiated a critical and challenging transition towards democracy for the war-torn nation. However, despite the historical significance of this electoral process, observers express concerns regarding its lack of genuine democratic representation. The elections will allow voters to choose two-thirds of the parliamentary members, specifically 140 out of 210. The remaining 70 seats will be filled by direct appointments from President Ahmed al Sharaa, who was a prominent figure in the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al Sham that played a substantial role in the regime's downfall. Critics argue that the electoral system could enhance al Sharaa’s influence, undermining the democratic potential of the transition. Civil rights organizations have highlighted that the election structure will likely skew representation in favor of al Sharaa’s administration. The elections will be overseen by a High Committee composed of 11 members, also chosen by al Sharaa, raising further concerns about the impartiality of the electoral process. In reality, only 120 parliamentarians will be elected because several provinces will not participate in the voting process. This includes areas with significant ethnic minority populations like Raqqa and Hasakah, controlled by the Kurdish community, and Suwayda, home to a Druze majority. The government has postponed voting in these regions indefinitely due to ongoing security issues following violent clashes last July. The exclusion of these provinces, which host many ethnic minorities, has attracted criticism for failing to ensure adequate representation. Moreover, there are no minimum quotas for women or minority groups in the parliament. Al Sharaa’s discretionary power in filling the 70 appointed positions could either empower loyalists, or he might opt for increased diversity by appointing women or representatives from minority groups to address criticism. After the fall of the Assad regime, all political parties were dissolved due to their connection to the former government, notably the Baath Party. Currently, approximately 1,500 candidates are running, all as independents, since no new parties have emerged. The High Electoral Committee has instituted several restrictions concerning eligibility to run for office, excluding individuals with past ties to the regime, criminal records, or those linked to terrorist groups. To qualify, candidates must also be at least 25 years old and hold Syrian citizenship prior to 2011, the year the war began. Voting in this election will not be direct. Instead, electoral councils will elect the parliamentarians, with about 6,000 individuals participating across 50 electoral colleges. The largest constituency, Aleppo, will elect 14 representatives from a pool of about 700 voters. Notably, members of the Syrian diaspora who left the country during the conflict will not have the opportunity to vote. The elections have received minimal promotion, with few election posters visible throughout the country. Many residents in the capital, Damascus, have expressed ignorance about the elections, revealing a lack of public engagement in the process. In March, al Sharaa announced the formation of a new government and introduced a provisional constitution grounded in Islamic jurisprudence, which will apply during a five-year transition period. This interim constitution theoretically upholds women's rights and freedoms of expression, although it remains unclear how effectively these provisions will be enforced. Al Sharaa has been granted significant authority, including the power to appoint judges to the Constitutional Court and a third of the parliament. As Syria approaches these pivotal elections, the road to genuine democracy appears fraught with challenges. The transitional government’s adherence to democratic principles remains to be seen, as many citizens hope for a brighter, more inclusive future, but skepticism about the true representation and fairness of the electoral process looms large. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2