The majority of towns in Suweida governorate declared a complete rejection of the elections, broke and burned ballot boxes, and closed most of the centers. In the town of Nawa in Daraa governorate, residents prevented the elections, considering election day a day of mourning. In Hassakeh, the Democratic Syria Forces (SDF) refused to allow the elections, which were held only in the regime’s security compounds. In areas outside the regime’s control, such as the towns of the north or Idlib and some rural Hama and Aleppo, there were no elections.
The Syrian regime faces a significant legitimacy problem. Despite the formality of the elections, the regime adheres to them as it still represents Syria in international forums. The legitimacy is incomplete, and the refugees, about ten million, are not allowed to participate in the elections. Since 2012, there have been four elections, including the current one, with the regime attempting to renew its legitimacy. However, the drastically low voter turnout, despite fraud, has prevented this. The turnout in the 2020 elections was only 33%, and according to the Supreme Judicial Committee for Syrian elections, the participation rate in the July elections did not exceed 38.16%. The low turnout in the 2016 elections prompted the regime to allow the military to vote but not to run, to adjust the voter turnout in its favor.
The regime is in real trouble as many Syrians have refrained from participating. Many candidates on the lists of the Arab Socialist Baath Party in the current session are known for human rights violations, corruption, notoriety, and war crimes. Many are former military personnel and loyalist militia leaders who enjoy all forms of luxury while 90% of the population is below the poverty line, according to United Nations statistics. The regime’s legitimacy problem is severe, and despite its formality, it adheres to it as it still represents Syria in international forums.
These elections might be the last due to the complete wear and tear of the Syrian regime and state. The regime has lost opportunities and all initiatives to get out of its crisis. The Syrian state is in a state of disrepair, with Arab normalization with the faltering regime and the regime’s refusal to normalize with Turkey. Russia prefers normalization with Turkey while rejecting Iran, and the occupying power in Palestine agrees to neutralize the regime’s positions from bombing while agreeing on the right of this state to bomb any Iranian targets. This means there is no possibility of any real support to get the regime out of its crisis and advance the country. This will lead to further wear and tear, and possibly new areas under its control rising, as Suweida did in August 2023, with its uprising continuing.
Recently, a demonstration took place for two consecutive days in the town of Jaramana (southeast of the capital), related to service demands for longer hours of electricity and water. However, the regime will likely not be able to achieve these demands regularly, leading to potential renewed protests in the coming months in this town and elsewhere. The wear and tear that the country has experienced cannot be reversed, and there are international resolutions rejecting any forms of reconstruction or broad normalization with the regime. Reports suggest that the United States may return to signing the decision not to normalize with the regime, and there are international issues pursuing the regime’s leaders that cannot be reversed. Russia or Iran are not focused on withdrawing these cases, and the judiciary in Europe is independent, which may use it as an additional means to blackmail the regime.
The wear and tear of the system continues and will include the narrow circle of power. The killing of the president’s adviser Luna al-Shibl is an indication of disintegration within that circle.
Will this be the last election? Most probably, yes.
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.
