Daijiworld Media Network - Damascus

Damascus, Oct 5: Syria entered a pivotal phase in its post-conflict transition on Sunday as the country held its first parliamentary elections since the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad last December. The vote, overseen by transitional authorities, is being hailed as a step toward political restructuring and national reconciliation after years of turmoil.

Polling stations opened at 9 a.m. across most provinces, allowing local electoral bodies to vote for the 210-member People’s Assembly. According to the Higher Committee for People’s Assembly Elections, the process will run until noon, with the possibility of an extension until 4 p.m. if required. Preliminary results are expected later the same day, while final results will follow after a review of any challenges.

The elections are being conducted under an interim framework in which two-thirds of parliamentary seats are elected, while the remaining one-third are appointed by current Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. Officials say this model is designed to ensure fair regional and social representation during the fragile transitional period.

Unlike previous direct elections, this process is being handled through local electoral bodies made up of community representatives. These bodies, selected earlier this year, are tasked with both organizing the elections and choosing parliamentarians from among themselves. Authorities say this indirect approach accommodates the current reality, with large segments of the population displaced or lacking official documentation.

More than 1,500 candidates are contesting the 210 seats, with women making up 14 percent of the field. However, voting has been deferred in certain parts of Raqqa, Hasakah, and Sweida provinces due to ongoing security and logistical concerns.

Officials say the election process has been tailored to include Syria’s full social spectrum, including women, war victims’ families, and individuals with disabilities, aiming to create a more inclusive and representative legislature in the country’s new political era.