• Syria plans to hold parliamentary elections between September 15-20.
• This will be the first election since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.
• One-third of the seats will be appointed by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, with the rest elected.
• The elections come amid rising sectarian violence in the country.
• Women will comprise at least 20% of the electoral bodies.

Syria is set to hold parliamentary elections between September 15 and 20, marking the first such elections since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad during a rebellion in December. The head of the Higher Committee for People’s Assembly Elections, Mohammed Taha al-Ahmad, confirmed the dates to state media latimes, aa, scmp, aljazeera, and trtglobal.

Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa will appoint one-third of the 210 parliamentary seats, while the remaining two-thirds will be elected through an established electoral college in each province. The committee emphasizes that participation in the elections will be open to various societal sectors, as indicated by al-Ahmad latimes, aa, scmp, aljazeera, and trtglobal.

Despite the legislative progress, the announcement comes amid significant unrest and violence, particularly in the southern province of Suwayda. Recent sectarian clashes have killed hundreds and threatened the fragile political transition in Syria. Syrian government forces reportedly intervened, siding mostly with Bedouin clans amidst escalating tensions with the Druze minority latimes, aa, scmp, aljazeera, and trtglobal.

The revised electoral system also ensures that at least 20% of the electoral bodies will consist of women, and the electoral process will be monitored by civil society and international observers. The elections aim to enhance political representation and inclusivity while maintaining national unity, as emphasized by President al-Sharaa latimes, aa, scmp, aljazeera, and trtglobal.