The head of the Syrian Negotiation Commission, Badr Jamous, emphasized that the People’s Assembly elections conducted by the Syrian regime are “illegitimate and do not represent the Syrian people,” asserting that they “violate international resolutions, are held under a totalitarian constitution, and exclude millions of Syrians abroad.”
In a statement, Jamous remarked that “Syrians are being coerced into participating in the selection of deputies for a parliament that lacks will and freedom, disregards the voices of millions of Syrians demanding freedom, democracy, and political change, ignores the cries and distress of thousands of displaced persons and refugees, and turns a blind eye to millions of victims and hundreds of thousands of detainees and forcibly disappeared individuals.”
He added that “there can be no change in the composition, role, performance, and effectiveness of the People’s Assembly as long as the Syrian regime rejects a political solution in accordance with UN Resolution 2254, refuses to change the constitution and reform laws, does not accept the cessation of the security services and the presidential palace from controlling the elections, and rejects impartial international monitoring of the elections.”
The head of the commission noted that “the constitution drafted by the regime in 2012, while its cannons were bombing Syrian cities, enshrines the authority of the individual leader of the state and society, giving him absolute powers to dissolve the People’s Assembly at will, assume legislative power in its place, issue legislation and change laws, and propose changes to the constitution with the approval of a small percentage of the People’s Assembly members.”
The Syrian regime lies about the participation rate
Jamous stated that “more than half of the Syrian people are displaced or refugees and cannot participate in the People’s Assembly elections. The other half, living in the country, suffers from economic, security, and social issues, teetering on the edge of poverty and misery. Only about five percent of Syrians can participate in the elections due to fear from the security services.” He noted that “without any judicial oversight or monitoring from local or international organizations, the regime will likely claim, as usual, that the participation rate is very high.”
He emphasized that “the current People’s Assembly elections cannot be considered legitimate in any way, as they violate international resolutions that the regime must adhere to. They are conducted under a totalitarian constitution and laws in need of reform, exclude millions of Syrians abroad, lack electoral programs, and transparency, and prevent free media from monitoring. No party is allowed to oversee the elections to ensure against fraud.”
The head of the negotiating body pointed out that “Resolution 2254 clearly states that parliamentary and presidential elections must occur within the context of a political process, after the formation of a credible transitional governing body that is inclusive and not based on sectarianism. It sets a timetable for drafting a new constitution, after which free and fair elections will be held under the supervision of the United Nations, adhering to the highest international standards of transparency and accountability, and including all Syrians, including those living in the diaspora.”
People’s Assembly Elections in Syria
On Monday, the Syrian regime concluded the People’s Assembly elections in areas under its control, with 1,516 candidates vying for 250 parliamentary seats.
In these elections, the Baath Party solidified its dominance by securing 178 seats, according to the final lists, while approximately 65-66 seats were reserved for independents.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
