Assad emerges as leader in Syrian elections: Turnout rate '38 percent'

The results of the general elections held in areas under the control of President Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria have been announced. Assad's Ba'ath Party emerged from the polls in first place.

According to the report by the Syrian state news agency SANA, the turnout for the general elections held on July 15 was announced as 38.16 percent, with 7 million 300 thousand voters casting their ballots. According to the election results, as expected, the Ba'ath Party secured a majority in parliament. Voters went to the polls at 8 thousand 151 polling stations in government-controlled areas for the 250-member parliament, while elections were repeated in Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, and Daraa. According to officials, irregularities such as duplicate voting had been detected in these regions.

FOURTH ELECTION SINCE 2011

Before the election, the Ba'ath Party and its allies put forward a list of 185 parliamentary candidates. While a total of 1516 parliamentary candidates competed for 250 seats, 65 seats went to independent candidates.

According to the election results announced on Thursday, July 18, all 185 candidates nominated by Assad's Ba'ath Party and its alliance qualified to enter parliament. In the elections held in 2020, the number of deputies from Assad's party and its alliance was 177. Jihad Murad, head of the Syrian Higher Judicial Committee for Elections, who announced the results, claimed that the latest election was one that 'most broadly reflects the Syrian people across various groups and segments.' The election was the fourth to be held since the civil war began in 2011.

According to the country's current laws, Assad's presidency is set to end in 2028. The new parliament to be formed is expected to enact a constitutional amendment that would allow for the extension of President Bashar al-Assad's term. Such a constitutional amendment requires a three-quarters majority in parliament, meaning the votes of 188 deputies.