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Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: For the purpose of the presidential elections, the Syrian Arab Republic has one constitutiency. Furthermore, each province is a constituency for the election of representatives of members of Parliamsent exept the provice of Aleppo, which consists of two constituencies.
Source: General Electoral Laws of Syria, Art 18-20.
Verified: 2014/06/03
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
a . "Equality" of population e . Geographic size of district
Comments:
Source: The General Electoral Laws of Syria, Art 18-20.
Verified: 2014/06/03
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
c . Directly elected in general elections (absolute majority with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments: "The candidate who wins the election for the President of the Republic is the one who gets the absolute majority of those who take part in the elections. If no candidate receives that majority, a rerun is carried out between the two candidates who receive the largest number of votes."
Source: Constitution, art. 86
Verified: 2014/06/02
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
e . Appointed
Comments: The President appoints the Prime Minister.
Source: Constitution, art. 97
Verified: 2014/06/02
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution, art. 83 - 117
Verified: 2014/06/02
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: The People's Assembly is elected for 4 years.
Source: Constitution, art. 55 - 82
Verified: 2014/06/02
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
c . Block Vote
Comments:
Source: International IDEA: Table of Electoral Systems Worldwide http://www.idea.int/esd/world.cfm
Verified: 2014/06/02
ES020
Question: Regarding Chamber 1 elections (excluding advance voting, postal voting, etc):
Answer:
b . Voting takes place over a period of 2 or more days
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2001/11/28
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
b . Separate legislation
Comments: The national electoral laws are governed by the "General Elections Law" legislation.
Source: http://www.parliament.sy/
Verified: 2014/06/02
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections c . Local elections
Comments:
Source: http://www.parliament.sy/
Verified: 2014/06/02
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments:
Source: International IDEA Voter Turnout Website (http://www.idea.int/vt/)
Verified: 2014/06/02
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level
Comments: The Judicial Committee of the Electoral oversees and administers national elections to ensure freedom of practice, integrity and fairness is constantly being maintained throughout the election process.
Source: The General Electoral Laws of Syria, art 8.
Verified: 2014/06/03
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
f . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook (http://www.idea.int/publications/emd/upload/EMD_Annex_A.pdf)
Verified: 2014/06/03
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
a . Governmental
Comments:
Source: Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook (http://www.idea.int/publications/emd/upload/EMD_Annex_A.pdf)
Verified: 2014/06/03
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
e . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook (http://www.idea.int/publications/emd/upload/EMD_Annex_A.pdf)
Verified: 2014/06/03
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
d . Not Applicable
Comments:
Source: Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook (http://www.idea.int/publications/emd/upload/EMD_Annex_A.pdf)
Verified: 2009/11/13
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
j . Not Applicable
Comments:
Source: Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook (http://www.idea.int/publications/emd/upload/EMD_Annex_A.pdf)
Verified: 2014/06/03
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
m . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2014/06/03
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
d . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2014/06/03
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
m . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2014/06/03
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments:
Source: The General Electoral Laws of Syria, art 4.
Verified: 2014/06/03
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship
Comments:
Source: IPU Parline database:
http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2307.htm
Verified: 2014/06/03
VR003
Question: What restrictions on registering to vote and voting exist in the country?
Answer(s):
a . Criminal Incarceration d . Mental disability
Comments: a) Conviction of specific crimes.
b) Mentally ill influential
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
The General Electoral Laws of Syria, art 5.
Verified: 2014/06/03
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
a . Central Government Department (specify)
Comments: The Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Justice in accordance with the the local adminsitration and the Central Bureau of Statistics are respobsible for the registration of voters for national elections.
Source: The General Electoral Laws of Syria, art 28,
Verified: 2014/06/03
Parties and Candidates
PC002
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 2)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
Answer(s):
g . No information available
Comments:
Source: IPU Parline database:
http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2307.htm
Verified: 2007/01/31
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
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
Verified: 2014/06/03
PC004
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 2)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
Answer(s):
k . No information available
Comments:
Source: IPU Parline database:
http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2307.htm
Verified: 2007/01/31
PC005
Question: What are the legal qualifications for becoming a candidate at presidential elections?
Answer(s):
a . Age c . Country of birth d . Residence j . Other
Comments: The candidate for the office of President of the Republic should:
There are several qualification for becoming a presidential candidate:
1. Must be atleast 40 years of age
2. Be of Syrian nationality by birth, of parents who are of Syrian nationality by birth;
3. Enjoy civil and political rights and not convicted of a dishonorable felony, even if he was reinstated;
4. Not be married to a non-Syrian wife;
5. Be a resident of the Syrian Arab Republic for no less than 10 years continuously upon being nominated.
Source: Constitution, Art 84.
Verified: 2014/06/02
PC006
Question: What can disqualify a candidate at legislative elections?
Answer(s):
a . Current criminal incarceration c . Criminal record 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
Verified: 2014/06/02
PC007
Question: What can disqualify a candidate at presidential elections?
Answer(s):
b . Detention c . Criminal record
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2014/06/02
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
b . The polling centre
Comments:
Source: The General Electoral Laws, art 59-63
Verified: 2014/06/03
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
g . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2014/06/03
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
h . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2014/06/03
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
d . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2014/06/03
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
g . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2014/06/03
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2014/06/03
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
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
Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/06/03
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
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
Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/06/03
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
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
Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/06/03
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/06/03
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/06/03
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/06/03
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
a . Always binding
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/06/03
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
c . Both constitutional and other issues
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/06/03
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/06/03
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
a . At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2014/06/03
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments:
Source: The General Electoral Laws of Syria, art 66.
Verified: 2014/06/03
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