Syrian electors cast ballots in indirect vote for first post Assad parliment

6/10/2025 6:31

Members of Syria's electoral colleges gathered on Sunday to vote for new lawmakers, a milestone in the country's shift away from the ousted regime of

Bashar al-Assad and a major test of inclusivity under its current Islamist-led authorities.



The indirect vote comes as President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who came to power after his rebel offensive toppled Assad in December, tries to consolidate his hold over a nation fractured by a 14-year war and bouts of sectarian violence that have fueled distrust of him among minorities.



A combined 6,000 electors cast ballots at regional electoral colleges starting around 9 a.m. local (0600 GMT). Polls closed in the afternoon and preliminary results are expected on Sunday night, according to Mohammed Al-Ahmed, the head of Syria's higher electoral committee.



Sunday's vote will determine nearly two-thirds of parliament's 210 seats, but the body will not be formally established until Sharaa, a former Al Qaeda fighter, selects the remaining third.