Sat Oct 04 07:23:04 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Syria is holding parliamentary elections, the first since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. However, the elections are being conducted through an electoral college system for two-thirds of the seats, with the remaining third appointed by the interim president, due to the displacement and lack of documentation among the populace after the civil war. The elections have been met with criticism for lack of inclusivity, a rushed timeline, and concerns about fairness in the selection of electoral college members. Many Syrians are unaware of the elections or are more concerned with daily struggles. Despite the controversial process, some hope the new parliament will focus on the needs of the people.
**News Article:**
**Syria Holds First Post-Assad Elections Amidst Controversy**
*Damascus, Syria – October 4, 2025* – Syria is gearing up for its first parliamentary elections since the dramatic ousting of President Bashar al-Assad last December. However, the process is mired in controversy and a sense of apathy, with many Syrians unaware the vote is even taking place.
The elections, scheduled for tomorrow, will not be a direct popular vote. Instead, two-thirds of the seats in the People’s Assembly will be decided by electoral colleges in each district, while the remaining third will be directly appointed by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
According to Nawar Nejmeh, spokesperson for the election committee, this unconventional system is necessary due to widespread displacement and loss of personal documents resulting from the country’s devastating civil war. “It is not perfect, but it is the most realistic at the current stage,” Nejmeh told the Associated Press.
The unusual election process has drawn sharp criticism from some Syrian activists. Mutasem Syoufi, executive director of The Day After, an organization supporting democratic transition in Syria, has raised concerns about a compressed timeline for candidates to present their platforms and last-minute changes to electoral college rosters. His organization’s offer to provide independent observers was also rejected.
“Are we going through a credible transition, an inclusive transition that represents all of Syria?” Syoufi questioned.
Adding a unique element to the elections is the candidacy of Henry Hamra, a Syrian-American Jew who emigrated to the U.S. as a teenager and has returned to Damascus. His campaign posters are visible in the Jewish Quarter of Old Damascus.
Despite the historical significance of the elections, the mood on the streets of Damascus appears muted. Elias al-Qudsi, a shopkeeper in the Old City, admitted he was unaware of the impending vote. Many Syrians, like Shadi Shams, are more focused on pressing daily concerns such as the struggling economy and ongoing power cuts.
While some are skeptical, others hold a glimmer of hope that the new parliament will address the needs of the people. “What is important is that they work for the people and the country,” said al-Qudsi.
The world will be watching to see if these elections mark a genuine step towards a more democratic and inclusive future for Syria, or simply another chapter in its troubled history.
First Piper 