The committee which organised Syria's first parliamentary elections since the fall of Bashar al-Assad has acknowledged 'significant shortcomings', after results showed only 13% of the seats contested were won by female and minority candidates. Observers noted that six women and 10 members of religious and ethnic minorities were among the 119 people elected to the new People's Assembly. Notably, there was no direct popular vote. Instead, electoral colleges selected representatives for two-thirds of the 210 seats, with Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa appointing the rest. An election committee spokesman stated that the president's choices might 'compensate' for the underrepresentation of certain societal segments.
Twenty-one seats remained unfilled because polls were postponed in areas affected by violence. Sharaa labelled the elections a 'historic moment' and emphasized the parliament's role for oversight. Despite this, the ongoing sectarian violence has raised fear and distrust among minorities.
Women comprised only 14% of the 1,500 candidates, and there were no quotas for female lawmakers or those from the country’s diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. Following the elections, higher election committee spokesman Nawar Najmeh noted the disappointing results for women's representation and the limited seats for Christians relative to their population.
The Syrian Democratic Council criticized the elections as not reflecting the will of the Syrian people, especially in regions controlled by Kurdish forces. Following recent clashes between government forces and Kurdish militias, a ceasefire was agreed upon but concerns over representation and the elections' legitimacy persist.
Twenty-one seats remained unfilled because polls were postponed in areas affected by violence. Sharaa labelled the elections a 'historic moment' and emphasized the parliament's role for oversight. Despite this, the ongoing sectarian violence has raised fear and distrust among minorities.
Women comprised only 14% of the 1,500 candidates, and there were no quotas for female lawmakers or those from the country’s diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. Following the elections, higher election committee spokesman Nawar Najmeh noted the disappointing results for women's representation and the limited seats for Christians relative to their population.
The Syrian Democratic Council criticized the elections as not reflecting the will of the Syrian people, especially in regions controlled by Kurdish forces. Following recent clashes between government forces and Kurdish militias, a ceasefire was agreed upon but concerns over representation and the elections' legitimacy persist.
