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Authorities are holding its first-ever legislative polls following the downfall of the previous regime, representing a tentative advancement for democratic processes which have been questioned as potentially biased toward the country's provisional government.

Assembly Formation Process

As the war-torn nation moves along its political transformation after Assad, local committee members are starting the important step of electing a provisional legislative body.

One-third of assembly seats will be assigned through the transitional head in an action viewed as reinforcing his authority. The rest of the seats will be selected via regional electoral bodies, with positions assigned based on demographic numbers.

Election Mechanism Facts

Nationwide balloting was not implemented as interim authorities stated the massive displacement of citizens and paper disappearance amid fighting eras would cause this action impractical currently.

"There are various awaiting bills that require approval to move forward with development and growth initiatives. Rebuilding Syria represents a shared responsibility, and the entire population should participate to this endeavor."

The provisional leadership abolished the earlier approval-only assembly after assuming power.

Legislative Body Structure

The recently created 210-representative assembly, called the People's Assembly, will be responsible for enacting new electoral legislation and foundational law. Based on administrative groups, more than 1,500 candidates – only 14% women – are vying for positions in the legislature, which will work under a renewable two-and-half-year mandate while arranging subsequent polls.

Candidate Requirements

Under established regulations, aspiring representatives must not support the former regime and cannot encourage secession or partition.

Among those running stands a dual-national the candidate Hamra, the first Jewish contender in over eight decades.

Area Voting Delays

Voting processes were delayed without timeline in the predominantly Druze Sweida region plus in zones administered by Kurdish-dominated groups due to ongoing tensions involving area administrations and Damascus.

Varied Responses

Detractors argue the delegate selection system may favor well-connected individuals, giving the transitional government disproportionate influence while excluding specific cultural and religious minorities. But, for some analysts, the election represented a positive development.

Citizen Stories

When approached by voting authorities to join the electoral college, Lina Daaboul, a Damascus-based doctor, explained her initial rejection, concerned about the duty and unfavorable image of former parliaments. But after understanding her role would only involve within the electoral college, she consented, describing it as "a patriotic responsibility".

During voting day, Daaboul expressed: "This constitutes my first voting experience in my existence. I'm content, and I don't mind queuing for considerable time."

Official Lara, a national elections committee representative in Damascus, noted that the fresh parliament includes all religious sects and societal groups and called it "the historic first occasion in the nation's past where ballot boxes genuinely govern – without prearranged results".

The ex-military Halabi, formerly working in the previous government but defected after widespread demonstrations that faced brutal suppression and triggered civil war in the 2011 period, commented: "This represents the pioneering moment during our existence we've participated in a democratic electoral procedure lacking foreign interference."