Syria's first indirect parliamentary vote under transitional rules

Several thousand electors across Syria gathered on Sunday to cast ballots at regional electoral colleges in the country’s first parliamentary vote since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, choosing two thirds of the 210-seat Peoples Assembly in a process authorities say is temporary and tied to wartime displacement and lack of reliable census data. Voting took place at accredited centers from morning until late afternoon, with officials expecting results within a day.

A committee appointed by President Ahmed al-Sharaa approved 1,570 candidates for the 140 seats to be filled by the electoral colleges. Public campaigning was limited, with no billboards or widespread poster campaigns reported and no formal party lists involved. The remaining 70 seats in the assembly will be appointed directly by President al-Sharaa, who led the offensive that toppled the previous regime in December and has led a transitional administration since January.

Authorities said the indirect electoral system was adopted because millions of Syrians remain displaced or abroad after nearly 14 years of war, complicating the use of nationwide voter rolls. Voting in several provinces controlled by groups outside...