intellectuals describe Syrian "Parliamentary elections" as illegitimate

The announcement of the results of the recent parliamentary elections held by the Syrian Interim Government has sparked widespread criticism across various regions, notably in the city of Tal Tamr in al-Jazira Canton of North and East Syria. There, numerous intellectuals expressed their rejection of these elections, considering them illegitimate and unrepresentative of the Syrian populace’s aspirations.

Intellectuals argue that the electoral process, conducted under complex security, economic, and political conditions, cannot constitute a genuine democratic choice, particularly in the absence of freedom and fair competition.

In this regard, writer and intellectual Mohammad Saeed al-Ahmad told ANHA agency: "How can one speak of legitimate elections while half of the Syrian people live as displaced or refugees, and others are barred from participating in deciding their country’s future?"

He indicated that the elections were merely symbolic, aiming to portray the Syrian Interim Government as a stable state before the international community. He added, "The government attempts to obscure the profound crises afflicting the people under its control; poverty, corruption, and lack of services through an electoral spectacle that changes nothing."

Meanwhile, intellectual Asrari al-Atiyeh stated she did not participate in the elections, noting that areas such as North and East Syria enjoy a democratic autonomous administration distinct in its political and administrative structure from the centralized regime in Damascus. This, she argued, renders any elections conducted incomplete and non-inclusive of all Syrians.

Asrari al-Atiyeh rejected the elections “because they neither reflect our views nor meet our demands. We want a genuine political process involving all Syrian components without excluding any group or sect. Otherwise, Syria faces the risk of collapse.”

Similarly, intellectual and political activist Radwan al-Khalaf stated: “The Syrian people did not fully participate in these elections, which renders them unfair and unrepresentative. The real solution lies in an inclusive national dialogue and drafting a new democratic constitution that guarantees the rights of all Syrian communities.”

He added, “From our perspective as the people of North and East Syria, these elections took place in the absence of a genuine democratic environment there is no freedom of expression nor equality among candidates. Legitimacy does not stem from closed ballot boxes. Therefore, we categorically reject them as they do not reflect the aspirations of the Syrian people.”

Intellectuals in Tal Tamr concluded that the recent parliamentary elections lack political legitimacy and credibility, having been conducted under circumstances that impose restrictions on freedom of expression and democratic competition, while excluding wide segments of the Syrian population from meaningful participation.

ANHA