Candidates for Syria’s People’s Assembly entered on Saturday, October 4, a one-day “electoral silence” period, as stipulated in Decision No. 62 of 2025, issued by the head of the Supreme Electoral Commission, Mohammed Taha al-Ahmad.
Over the past week, provinces hosted introductory sessions between electoral bodies and candidates, allowing voters to review candidates’ programs, CVs, and visions for the coming stage. These sessions, serving as the equivalent of campaign rallies in direct electoral systems, began on September 29 and concluded on October 3, followed by the silence period ahead of the vote on October 5.
Voting in this process is restricted to members of electoral bodies selected by provincial subcommittees, there is no public vote.
Supreme Electoral Commission spokesperson Nawar Najmeh confirmed via X on Saturday that electoral silence had begun, noting that polls open Sunday at 9 a.m. Voting will be secret, and counting public, with media presence. Preliminary results will be broadcast live, but official results will be announced later in a press conference.
Polling will last for three hours, with the possibility of extension if voters remain around polling centers awaiting their turn, under the electoral system approved by Syrian President Ahmed al-Shaar in August.
Challenges to the results may be filed within three days, with rulings issued within five, after which final results are announced.
Once results are complete, the Supreme Electoral Commission submits the winners’ names to the presidency, where the president issues a decree appointing People’s Assembly members, alongside one-third of the members he directly names.
The Assembly holds 210 seats, of which 70% are elected by electoral bodies and 30% appointed by the president.
Within a week of the decree, the Assembly convenes its first session, chaired by the eldest member, with the youngest serving as secretary. In this session, members elect a speaker, two deputies, and a secretary through secret ballot and majority vote. In the second session, members take the oath before the president in accordance with Article 27 of the Constitutional Declaration.
Controversy Over Exclusions
In recent days, social media has witnessed heated debate over the exclusion of some names from the final electoral body lists for the People’s Assembly.
The latest dispute emerged in the city of Saqba (Rif Dimashq province), where on September 29 the Council of Notables and the local electoral body threatened to boycott the process in protest at the removal of two members from the final lists.
However, following a meeting with members of the Supreme Electoral Commission on October 1, the council agreed to resume participation.
Commission spokesperson Nawar Najmeh clarified that names omitted from the final lists were not excluded due to personal reputation or standing, stressing that the revisions aimed solely to ensure fair geographic, professional, and social representation.
Commission media liaison Imad Zahran told Enab Baladi that anyone proven to have ties to the former regime would be excluded, even after election.
A total of 1,578 candidates registered, 14% of them women, with female candidacy rates differing by province.
According to Article 24 of the Constitutional Declaration, “the president appoints one-third of the People’s Assembly to guarantee fair representation and competence.” Najmeh noted that this appointed third would fill electoral gaps and focus on technical and professional expertise for reviewing and drafting legislation.
Code of Conduct for Candidates
Candidates for the People’s Assembly must comply with a code of ethics issued on September 27, aimed at ensuring fair competition, serving the public interest, and respecting electoral regulations, thereby strengthening integrity and transparency in the process.
Article One: Commitment to the temporary electoral system and regulations
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Candidates must abide by the Constitutional Declaration and election bylaws, including the temporary system set by the Supreme Electoral Commission.
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They must refrain from any act deemed illegal or detrimental to the integrity of the electoral process.
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Final decisions issued by the commission must be accepted.
Article Two: Integrity and transparency
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Candidates must not use public resources or official influence for electoral gain.
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They are bound by the rules and restrictions on electoral campaigning.
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Campaign programs must be presented clearly and realistically, avoiding false or impractical promises.
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Campaigning is limited to personal CVs, electoral programs, and debates (where available).
Article Three: Respect for fair competition
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Candidates must avoid defamation, slander, or the use of sectarian or inflammatory rhetoric.
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They must respect voters’ right to free choice without pressure or intimidation.
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They must not use or incite violence in any form.
Article Four: Preservation of national unity
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Candidates must avoid any discourse inciting division or discrimination based on religion, ethnicity, gender, or region.
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They should promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence within society.
Article Five: Conduct with voters
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Candidates must respect the dignity of voters within the electoral body.
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They must not offer false promises, gifts, or money in exchange for votes (“electoral rewards”).
Article Six: Cooperation with electoral committees
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Candidates must respect the rules and guidance of commission staff and cooperate fully at polling centers.
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They must provide all requested information to subcommittees when required.
Article Seven: Accountability
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Candidates bear full responsibility for violations committed by themselves or their campaign teams.
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In case of violations, matters are referred to the competent authorities for legal action.
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