00:00Syria will hold an indirect vote on Sunday to establish its first parliament since Bashar al-Assad was ousted.
00:07The election comes as President Ahmed al-Sharah moves to tighten his grip on a nation scarred by 14 years of war.
00:16Regional electoral colleges made up of 6,000 electors are set to pick two-thirds of the 210-seat parliament.
00:23Shara will select the remaining seats with a committee formed already approving 1,570 candidates.
00:31Citing security and political concerns, voting will be postponed in Kurdish-controlled areas in the northeast and in Suwaida, leaving 19 seats vacant.
00:41Critics warn the process is tightly controlled and unrepresentative of minority groups, with little guarantee of inclusion for women.
00:50In many districts, women make up 10-20% of candidates.
00:55No quotas have been set for women or minority lawmakers.
Comments