Syrian parliamentary election, 2016
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National Progressive Front
Popular Front for Change and Liberation
Non-partisans
Parliamentary elections were held in Syria to elect the People's Council on 13 April 2016.[1]
Background
Amidst nearly five years of civil war and ensuing negotiations for a ceasefire, following the Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War and Syrian Arab Army gains, President Bashar al-Assad called the election.
Al-Raqqah Governorate is mostly occupied by ISIL as their de facto capital, while Deir ez-Zor Governorate is partly occupied but the Syrian government has made recent gains there. Other places such as Aleppo, Homs and Latakia, amongst others, are also partly occupied but Syrian forces have started successfully pushing back. Rojava has also been semi-autonomous since the civil war began with Kurdish forces currently in fighting ISIL with the support of Russia, by air, and Syrian forces, on the ground.
Electoral system
All 250 members of the People's Council will be elected from 15 multi-member constituencies.[2]
| Constituency | Seats | Population (est. 2011)[3][4] |
|---|---|---|
| Damascus Governorate | 29 | 1,754,000 |
| Rif Dimashq Governorate | 19 | 2,836,000 |
| Aleppo (city) | 20 | 2,132,100 |
| Aleppo Governorate | 32 | 2,735,900 |
| Homs Governorate | 23 | 1,803,000 |
| Hama Governorate | 22 | 1,628,000 |
| Latakia Governorate | 17 | 1,008,000 |
| Idlib Governorate | 18 | 1,501,000 |
| Tartus Governorate | 13 | 797,000 |
| Al-Raqqah Governorate | 8 | 944,000 |
| Deir ez-Zor Governorate | 14 | 1,239,000 |
| Al-Hasakah Governorate | 14 | 1,512,000 |
| Daraa Governorate | 10 | 1,027,000 |
| As-Suwayda Governorate | 6 | 370,000 |
| Quneitra Governorate | 5 | 90,000 |
| Total | 250 | 21,377,000 |
Results
Total turnout was 57.56%. The Baath Party won 80 percent or 200 of 250 seats, while the opposition inside and outside the country boycotted the elections. Two Armenians were elected to the People's Council of Syria. It was the first time an Armenian woman was elected into the parliament.[5]
Reactions
Germany - Martin Schaefer, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry has announced that Germany would not accept the results of the election. He stated that "holding free and fair elections is simply impossible in the current situation, with all the refugees, in a full civil war situation."[6]
United States - John Kirby, spokesman for the United States Department of State has announced that the United States believes the elections to not be credible, fair or free. He cited the departure of many citizens as a result of the Syrian Civil War.[7]
References
- ↑ "Polling Stations Closed in All of Syria’s Provinces – Elections Committee". Sputnik International.
- ↑ President Assad calls for parliamentary elections next April AMN, 22 February 2016
- ↑ "Population estimates on 31 December 2011" (in Arabic). Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- ↑ "2004 census data" (in Arabic). Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- ↑ http://armenianweekly.com/2016/04/16/two-armenians-elected-to-syrias-parliament/
- ↑ "The Latest: Syrian opposition in Geneva lashes out at Assad". The Chronicle Herald.
- ↑ http://www.turkishweekly.net/2016/04/15/news/Syrian-elections-not-credible-or-fair-with-assad-us/
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