How does the current People's Assembly election system work in Syria?

The temporary system is indirect: accredited electoral colleges select two-thirds of the 210 seats, while the President appoints the remaining 70 members. The general population does not vote directly in this process.

Who can vote in the current People's Assembly elections in Syria?

Only members of final accredited electoral colleges can vote. General voter registration and a direct vote for the entire population are not established under the temporary rules.

How are seats allocated in the current People's Assembly elections in Syria?

The Assembly has 210 seats. Two-thirds are selected through electoral colleges in administrative districts using population data from the 2011 census, and 70 seats are appointed by the President.

How can a candidate challenge an election result in Syria's current People's Assembly elections?

Only a candidate may file an election or results complaint, generally within three days. The competent body must decide within five days, and the decision is final under the temporary rules.

Elections in Syria

Q: What identification and ballot rules apply to People's Assembly voting in Syria?

A voter must present one valid identity document or passport and cast one secret ballot without a proxy. The ballot may contain no more marks than the number of seats, and voters may not photograph it, add identifying marks or take it away.

Q: What is the status of People's Assembly elections in Syria as of September 2026?

Elections took place in most districts, with repeat elections held in several northern and northeastern areas. The Suwayda election remained postponed, leaving four seats vacant, while 206 members were serving and the Assembly had begun its 30-month transitional mandate.

Syria's current electoral system uses a temporary indirect process for choosing the People's Assembly, the country's transitional legislative body. Two-thirds of its 210 seats are selected by accredited electoral colleges, while the President appoints the remaining 70 members. A direct nationwide presidential or parliamentary election has not been established for the transition; permanent constitutional arrangements and general elections are still required.

byDima&Anas

The temporary system was established under the Constitutional Declaration of 13 March 2025 and related decrees, including Decrees 66/2025 and 143/2025. The country is divided into planned administrative electoral districts, with seats distributed using population data from the 2011 census. The system planned 50 electoral colleges; 49 colleges participated in the vote held on 5 October 2025. The general population does not vote directly in this process. Only members of final accredited electoral colleges may vote. Local subcommittees prepare electoral-college lists using identity, registration and residence documents and consult local and social actors. The intended composition includes at least 70% professionals, no more than 30% notable figures, at least 20% women and 3% wounded revolution participants or people with disabilities. Displaced people, families of martyrs and survivors of detention may also be considered where applicable. Selection rules exclude people linked to support for the former regime, terrorist organizations, separatist movements or foreign interference, and former Assembly service or candidacy after 2011 requires evidence of political separation. Candidates must belong to an electoral college and submit a personal application. The reviewed temporary rules set a maximum application fee of 5,000, but they do not establish a reliable minimum age in the available material. Campaigning lasts seven days, followed by an election silence period beginning 24 hours before voting. No campaign or registration fees are confirmed in the reviewed official rules beyond the candidate application limit. Voting takes place on one day, normally from 09:00 to 12:00, with a possible extension for voters waiting in line and a latest stated time of 16:00. A voter presents one valid identity document or passport and marks one ballot in secret without a proxy. The ballot may contain no more marks than the number of available seats. Voters may not add identifying marks, photograph the ballot or remove it from the polling place. Officials show the empty ballot box before voting, and counting is public. Candidates and their agents may observe voting and counting and request that objections be recorded. The Higher Committee for People's Assembly Elections, an 11-member body formed by the President, supervises subcommittees, electoral colleges, polling centres and the announcement of results. Provincial judicial appeals panels handle specified complaints. A preliminary ranking is published on the following day. A tie at the seat boundary can lead to a runoff on the following day or one day later. Complaints about lists have deadlines of two to three days at the relevant procedural stage. Only candidates may file an election or results complaint; the filing period is three days, and the decision is due within five days and is final under the temporary rules. By 13 September 2026, elections had taken place in most districts. Repeat elections were held in Raqqa and Tabqa on 17–18 March 2026 and in Hasakah, Qamishli, Malikiyah and Ayn al-Arab on 25 May 2026. The Suwayda election remained postponed, leaving four seats vacant, and 206 Assembly members were in office. More than 10% of the members were women, with 22 women recorded. The Assembly held its first sitting on 12 July 2026, elected Abdul Hamid al-Awak as Speaker with two Deputy Speakers and a Secretary, and operates with a 30-month mandate that may be extended. Twenty-six permanent committees were established in July and August 2026. The Presidency receives the final results and records and appoints the additional 70 members.

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