Syria prepares for the first parliamentary elections under the new government in September
The Supreme Committee for the Elections of the People’s Assembly in Syria announced on Sunday evening that the first parliamentary elections under the new government are expected to be held between September 15 and 20.
This came according to what the Syrian official SANA news agency reported, quoting the head of the Supreme Committee for People’s Assembly Elections, Muhammad Taha al Ahmad.
Muhammad Taha al Ahmad said, “During the meeting with President Ahmed al Sharaa (Saturday), he was briefed on the most important amendments approved to the interim electoral system for the People’s Assembly, following the tours and meetings the committee conducted with segments of Syrian society and its activists”.
He added that the President stressed the need to proceed with the electoral process in all governorates and rejected the division, which all Syrians reject.
President Ahmed al Sharaa also stressed the need to exclude anyone who supports criminals, as well as those who advocate division, sectarianism, and religious intolerance, according to al Ahmad.
He revealed that the number of seats in the People’s Assembly will increase from 150 to 210.
This will increase the governorates’ share according to the 2011 population census, and the president will appoint 70 of these members.
He explained, “After the decree on the interim electoral system is signed, we will need a week to select the subcommittees… We’ll then give these committees 15 days to select the electoral body… After that, we will open the door to nominations, giving candidates a week to prepare their electoral platforms… Debates will then be held between the candidates and members of the committees and electoral bodies”.
Muhammad Taha al Ahma .noted that the electoral process to select members of the People’s Assembly is expected to take place between September 15 and 20.
He pointed out that women’s participation in electoral bodies reaches at least 20 percent.
He pointed out that the electoral process will be monitored by the international community and organizations, under the supervision and coordination of the High Elections Committee, in addition to ensuring the freedom to challenge the lists and results.
On Saturday evening, the Syrian presidency announced receipt of the final version of the interim electoral system for the People’s Assembly.
On June 13, President al Sharaa issued a decree forming a committee called the “Supreme Committee for People’s Assembly Elections,” which distributed the seats, which were set at 150 (later increased to 210).
The decree stipulated that the Supreme Committee would oversee the formation of electoral sub-committees.
These sub-committees would elect two-thirds of the members of the People’s Assembly, while the president would appoint the remaining third.
The decree specified the number of members of the People’s Assembly, distributed according to the population of the governorates, according to the categories of notables and intellectuals, and in accordance with conditions approved by the Supreme Elections Committee.
