Syria's Election Committee Confronts "Significant Shortcomings" in Women's Representation

Syria Acknowledges 'Shortcomings' in Women's Representation at Election BEIRUT — Syria's election committee has acknowledged "significant shortcomings" after the country's first parliamentary elections since the fall of Bashar al-Assad showed only 13 seats won by female and minority candidates. According to official results, six women and 10 members of religious and ethnic minorities were among the 119 people elected to the new People's Assembly on Sunday. The election committee spokesman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the president's choices might "compensate" for the underrepresented components of society. The elections were held without a direct popular vote, with electoral colleges selecting representatives for two-thirds of the 210 seats. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa is appointing the rest. The election committee acknowledged that the process was marred by security concerns, which led to the postponement of polls in three provinces: two Kurdish-controlled areas in the north and one in the south where government forces have clashed with Druze militias. The low representation of women and minorities has raised eyebrows among observers, who point out that Syria's new constitution guarantees equal rights for all citizens. "This is a missed opportunity to promote diversity and inclusivity," said Amal al-Mokdad, a prominent women's rights activist in Damascus. "We had hoped for more progress." The election committee's acknowledgment of shortcomings comes as the country begins to rebuild after years of civil war. The new parliament will play an important role in shaping Syria's future, according to Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who declared the elections a "historic moment." However, critics argue that the process was flawed and lacked transparency. The 21 vacant seats will be filled through separate elections or appointments, which could further exacerbate concerns about representation. The Kurdish-controlled provinces in the north have already expressed dissatisfaction with the election results, citing security concerns as a reason for their low turnout. As Syria looks to rebuild and move forward, the country's leaders face pressure to address the issue of representation and ensure that all citizens have an equal voice in the new government. *Reporting by Bbc.*