Syrian electors cast ballots in indirect vote for first post Assad parliment

Members of Syria’s electoral colleges gathered on Sunday to vote for new lawmakers, a milestone in the country’s shift away from the ousted regime of
Bashar al-Assad and a major test of inclusivity under its current Islamist-led authorities.
The indirect vote comes as President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who came to power after his rebel offensive toppled Assad in December, tries to consolidate his hold over a nation fractured by a 14-year war and bouts of sectarian violence that have fueled distrust of him among minorities.
A combined 6,000 electors cast ballots at regional electoral colleges starting around 9 a.m. local (0600 GMT). Polls closed in the afternoon and preliminary results are expected on Sunday night, according to Mohammed Al-Ahmed, the head of Syria’s higher electoral committee.