Syria after the fall of the 61-year regime “Baas” is preparing to expand the People’s Council (the highest legislative body), which now involves 210 mandates instead of the previous 150. It will include representatives of all 14 provinces of Syria.
The Chairman of the Higher Committee for Elections to the People’s Council of Muhammad Tach Al-Ahmed informed the State Information Agency SANA that the redistribution of places will be based on the 2011 population census. An important innovation will also be that 70 members of the Council will be appointed directly by the president, he explained.
Al-Ahmed also presented a preliminary schedule for the upcoming elections. It is expected that the process will begin in the near future.
After signing the decree on the temporary electoral system, the subcommets will be formed within one week. These subcommittees, in turn, will form an election commission within 15 days.
the process of nomination of candidates will start immediately after determining the committees. Elections to the People’s Council are planned to be held in the period from September 15 to 20. Al-Ahmed emphasized efforts to provide at least 20 percent participation of women in the electoral authorities.
The electoral process will take place under strict supervision and coordination of the highest election commission. Al-Ahmed assured that the elections will be monitored by international observers, and the right to appeal the lists of candidates and the results will be guaranteed.