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Syrian Arab Republic

Direct Democracy

DD01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
a. Name and Title: Hanna Berheim
b. Job Title: Research Assistant
c. Organisation: International IDEA

Last updated: 2007-01-05 14:02:14 UTC

DD02 Which forms of direct democracy, if any, are currently possible at the national level? Please check the glossary for the definition of the following terms:
a. Mandatory referendum
b. Optional referendum

Comments: C:Ch2:Part1:55 "The law provides for elections and plebiscites. It defines the conditions to be met by members of the People's Assembly." C:Ch2:Part2:Sec1:84 "Upon the proposal of the Arab Socialist Baath Party regional command, the Assembly issues the order for election of the President: 1) the candidacy is proposed to the citizens for referendum; 2) the referendum takes place upon the request of the President of the Assembly; 3) the new president is elected before termination of the term of the present President, within a period of not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days; 4) the candidate becomes President of the Republic if he obtains an absolute majority of the total votes. If he fails to obtain this majority, the Assembly names another candidate. The same procedures are followed concerning the election, provided this takes place within 1 month from the time the results of the first plebiscite were announced." C:Ch2:Part2:Sec1:88 "The first Vice President of the Republic or the Vice President named by the President, carries out the President's duties if the President fails to do so. If the incapacity is permanent or in case of death or resignation, a referendum takes place to elect a new President in accordance with the provisions of Article 84, within a period not exceeding 90 days. If the Assembly is dissolved or if its term is due to expire in less than 90 days, the first Vice President carries out the President's duties until the new Assembly convenes." C:Ch2:Part2:Sec1:89 "If the post of President becomes vacant and there is no Vice President, the Prime Minister exercises all the President's powers and jurisdictions until a new President is elected by means of referendum within 90 days." C:Ch3:Part2:146 "The Supreme Constitutional Court has no right to look into laws which the President of the Republic submits to public referendum and are approved by the people."
Source: The 1973 Constitution of the Syrian Arab Republic, art. 55, 84, 88, 89 and 146
Last updated: 2007-01-05 15:53:11 UTC

DD03 What is the legal basis for mandatory referendums at the national level?
a. Constitutional

Comments: C:Ch2:Part1:55 "The law provides for elections and plebiscites. It defines the conditions to be met by members of the People's Assembly." C:Ch2:Part2:Sec1:84 "Upon the proposal of the Arab Socialist Baath Party regional command, the Assembly issues the order for election of the President: 1) the candidacy is proposed to the citizens for referendum; 2) the referendum takes place upon the request of the President of the Assembly; 3) the new president is elected before termination of the term of the present President, within a period of not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days; 4) the candidate becomes President of the Republic if he obtains an absolute majority of the total votes. If he fails to obtain this majority, the Assembly names another candidate. The same procedures are followed concerning the election, provided this takes place within 1 month from the time the results of the first plebiscite were announced." C:Ch2:Part2:Sec1:88 "The first Vice President of the Republic or the Vice President named by the President, carries out the President's duties if the President fails to do so. If the incapacity is permanent or in case of death or resignation, a referendum takes place to elect a new President in accordance with the provisions of Article 84, within a period not exceeding 90 days. If the Assembly is dissolved or if its term is due to expire in less than 90 days, the first Vice President carries out the President's duties until the new Assembly convenes." C:Ch2:Part2:Sec1:89 "If the post of President becomes vacant and there is no Vice President, the Prime Minister exercises all the President's powers and jurisdictions until a new President is elected by means of referendum within 90 days." C:Ch3:Part2:146 "The Supreme Constitutional Court has no right to look into laws which the President of the Republic submits to public referendum and are approved by the people."
Source: The 1973 Constitution of the Syrian Arab Republic, art. 55, 84, and 89
Last updated: 2007-01-05 15:53:11 UTC

DD04 What is the legal basis for optional referendums at the national level?
a. Constitutional

Comments: C:Ch2:Part1:55 "The law provides for elections and plebiscites. It defines the conditions to be met by members of the People's Assembly."
Source: The 1973 Constitution of the Syrian Arab Republic, art. 55
Last updated: 2007-01-05 15:53:11 UTC

DD124 If free media access is provided, what are the criteria for allocating broadcast time / printing space?

Last updated: 2007-01-05 14:02:14 UTC

DD126 What restrictions or controls, if any, are there on media coverage of the campaign and/or issue during the relevant period?

Last updated: 2007-01-05 14:02:14 UTC

DD13 When were direct democracy mechanisms first introduced into the legal framework at the national level? Date (yyyy)

Last updated: 2007-01-05 14:02:14 UTC

DD14 When was an administrative framework for direct democracy mechanisms first introduced at the national level? Date (yyyy)

Last updated: 2007-01-05 14:02:14 UTC

DD38 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a mandatory referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.

Last updated: 2007-01-05 14:02:14 UTC

DD39 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a optional referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.

Last updated: 2007-01-05 14:02:14 UTC

DD67 What restrictions, if any, are there in relation to the time period in which an individual/position can be recalled?

Last updated: 2007-01-05 14:02:14 UTC

DD70 If a separate ballot to replace an individual who has been recalled takes place, how soon after the recall ballot is it held?

Last updated: 2007-01-05 14:02:14 UTC

DD72 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an abrogative referendum (optional)? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.

Last updated: 2007-01-05 14:02:14 UTC

DD73 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a rejective referendum (optional)? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.

Last updated: 2007-01-05 14:02:14 UTC

DD74 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a citizens' initiative? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.

Last updated: 2007-01-05 14:02:14 UTC

DD75 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an agenda initiative? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.

Last updated: 2007-01-05 14:02:14 UTC

DD84 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a recall? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.

Last updated: 2007-01-05 14:02:14 UTC

Electoral Systems

ES20 Regarding Chamber 1 elections (excluding advance voting, postal voting, etc):
b. Voting takes place over a period of 2 or more days

Last updated: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 13:27:31 GMT

Legislative Framework

LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
a. Voting is voluntary

Source: International IDEA Voter Turnout Website (http://www.idea.int/vt/)
Last updated: 2006-11-21 21:07:24 UTC

Parties and Candidates
PC02 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
g. Not applicable

Source: IPU Parline database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2307.htm
Last updated: 2007-01-31 15:49:47 UTC

PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
i. Minimum level of literacy
j. Other

Comments: a) 25 years. j) Qualified electors
Source: IPU Parline database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2307.htm
Last updated: 2007-01-31 15:49:47 UTC

PC04 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
k. Not applicable

Source: IPU Parline database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2307.htm
Last updated: 2007-01-31 15:49:47 UTC

PC06 What can disqualify a candidate at legislative elections?
f. Holding of military office
g. Holding of government office
n. Holding of other public offices (police etc.)

Comments: f) Members of the armed forces. n) Civil servants. f, n) Government commissioners and police officers can be elected in another constituency than the one where working (after obtaining an authorization)
Source: IPU Parline database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2307.htm
Last updated: 2007-01-31 15:49:47 UTC

Voter Registration
VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship

Source: IPU Parline database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2307.htm
Last updated: 2007-02-02 08:24:01 UTC

VR03 What restrictions on registering to vote and voting exist in the country?
a. Criminal Incarceration
d. Mental disability

Comments: a) Conviction of specific crimes. e) Members of the armed and police forces. h) Allegiance to a foreign State.
Source: IPU Parline database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2307.htm
Last updated: 2007-02-02 08:24:01 UTC

VR09 Approximately what percentage (on the basis of cost) of registration supplies and equipment are obtained or produced within the country?

Last updated: 2007-02-02 08:24:01 UTC

May 20, 2008 08:20 AM