Syria is set to hold its first parliamentary elections since the ouster of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad, with the vote officially scheduled for October 5.
The announcement, carried by local media on Monday, came from the country’s Supreme Electoral Commission, marking a significant milestone in Syria’s ongoing political transition.
Despite the official timetable, uncertainty lingers over how the elections will be conducted across the country.
At the end of August, the electoral authority revealed that voting in three provinces—Sweida, al-Hasakah, and Raqqa—would be postponed indefinitely due to security challenges.
It remains unclear whether the October polls will include these regions, raising questions about nationwide representation.
The planned elections will bring about an expanded Syrian parliament consisting of 210 members. Of these, one-third will be directly appointed by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Critics argue that this arrangement gives the interim leader significant influence over legislative affairs, potentially undermining the credibility of the democratic process.
Previously, under Assad’s rule, Syria’s parliament comprised only 150 seats, with two-thirds automatically allocated to the Baath Party and its allies.
The new arrangement, though larger in size, is already under scrutiny for replicating patterns of dominance by the executive, albeit under a different leadership.
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The electoral commission has confirmed that international organisations and civil society representatives will be permitted to observe the polls in coordination with Syrian authorities. This step is aimed at lending legitimacy and transparency to the process.
However, given Syria’s troubled political history and ongoing instability, questions remain over the extent of access observers will have and whether their presence can significantly impact public trust in the outcome.
Syria continues to grapple with fragile stability after years of conflict and leadership transition. Security concerns are most acute in the three provinces where elections have been postponed, areas that have long been contested during Syria’s civil war.
Analysts note that excluding these regions could further marginalise local populations and fuel grievances against the central government.
Furthermore, the interim administration under al-Sharaa faces pressure to prove its commitment to inclusive governance.
Critics warn that maintaining executive control over a large portion of parliament risks undermining confidence in the democratic transition, especially among opposition groups and international stakeholders who have pushed for broader reforms.
With a population of roughly 23 million, Syria’s October 5 elections represent both an opportunity and a challenge for the country’s transitional leadership.
While the polls could symbolise a step toward rebuilding political legitimacy, the unresolved security threats and concentration of power in the hands of the interim president remain significant hurdles.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining how inclusive, transparent, and credible Syria’s first post-Assad parliamentary elections will ultimately prove to be.
NAN
