Syria has announced early results from its first parliamentary vote since the fall of Bashar al-Assad last year. The vote was indirect, with about 6000 selected people choosing most of the lawmakers, while President Ahmed al-Sharaa will appoint the rest later. Many people worry that the vote was too tightly controlled and that some communities, especially in areas outside government control, were left out. Only six women and ten people from religious or ethnic minorities were elected so far, including just two Christians and two Alawites. Critics say this does not fairly represent the country’s diversity. Some areas, like Kurdish regions and the Druze-held province of Sweida, did not vote at all due to political and security reasons, leaving 21 seats empty. Officials say they hope to hold elections in those areas later. Women’s representation has stayed low, continuing a long pattern from the Assad years, despite calls for greater fairness and inclusion.

Pray for wise counsel for the lawmakers in Syria to hold fair and transparent electoral processes in the nation. Pray for the increased inclusion of women and religious and ethnic minorities in the parliament (The Holy Bible, Psalm 14:6).

Pray for the success of all the efforts of the authorities to rebuild the government and public sectors in Syria. Pray for oneness and fairness among them to work for the welfare of the people in the country (The Holy Bible, Job 12:13).

News Source: Reuters

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