The Higher Committee: The nomination period has closed and the seats in Sweida will remain vacant due to armed factions

Nawar Najma, the spokesperson for the Higher Committee for the Syrian People's Council elections, confirmed that the nomination doors for the electoral bodies officially closed yesterday in all provinces, noting that the turnout was "large and inclusive of all components," reflecting a wide public interest in participating in the upcoming parliamentary entitlement.

In statements to the Syrian "News" channel today, Friday, Najma emphasized that the People's Council is the most important institution that expresses the aspirations of citizens, and that the subcommittees in the provinces have begun to study each nomination request individually, to ensure its compliance with legal and ethical standards, including verifying the absence of financial pressures on the electoral bodies.

Najma clarified that elections could be held in some areas of Hasakah and Raqqa, depending on the security conditions, while the seats in Sweida province will remain vacant, due to what he described as "the deprivation of armed factions of the province's residents from participating in the elections and in every developmental process."

He added: "Criticism is a natural part of the life of anyone working in public affairs, and we welcome it as long as it contributes to the development of the electoral process."

These statements come at a time when Syria is preparing to hold the People's Council elections between September 15 and 20, amidst security and logistical challenges in some areas outside state control.