The tough realities surrounding Syria’s first election since the fall of the Assad regime were illustrated on Sunday by the sight of black-clad security personnel carrying assault rifles guarding electors in a Damascus library hall. It was a sobering reminder, were one needed, that Syria’s new start remains a fragile one.
These volatile circumstances were acknowledged by interim President Ahmad Al Shara. Speaking at the hall, Mr Al Shara said the poll of about 6,000 government-approved electors “suited the phase Syria is undergoing” and said it was part of a transition towards establishing a parliament that can pass legal reforms and state budgets.
Much has been said about the nature of this invitation-only election. Some Syrians are unimpressed with the fact that voting and running for the new parliament has been limited to 6,050 people appointed by a government commission. “No one cares because it is a nomination, not an election,” civil engineer Sara Raed told The National.
Such reserve is understandable but the hard truth is that Syria is a country with an array of serious security, economic and social challenges and few easy options about how to deal with them. It has been less than a year since the war-torn nation threw off a decades-long and highly corrupt regime that operated through sham elections and a rubber-stamp parliament. Many would-be voters still lack official ID documents and drawing up a national electoral roll is challenging.
Despite the legitimate desire for comprehensive, free and fair elections, rushing headlong into a full democratic reset in these circumstances may not lead to the stability and prosperity that Syrians rightly seek. Elections alone do not ensure good governance or stable political transitions. The case of Iraq is instructive here.
Following the US-led invasion of 2003, the country held several elections in 2005 intended to establish the legitimacy of its new institutions. These results were characterised by low turnouts and boycotts among some communities as well as voting dominated by sectarian and tribal loyalties. Far from securing a new start, this polarising contest proved to be merely a precursor to two years of violence that began in 2006.
Syria’s situation demands functioning institutions characterised by competence, transparency and accountability
Syria’s situation demands functioning institutions characterised by competence, transparency and accountability. Sunday’s poll is not the sole answer to the country’s problems but it does represent an incremental step forward in establishing some kind of participatory system.
As Syria moves forward on its long road to recovery, those who will be elected should be given a chance to prove themselves and the institutions they are running. However, much responsibility lies on the central government led by Mr Al Shara to make sure Sunday’s vote is part of a wider process of political consultation and that the new parliament’s decisions are listened to. Syria’s public will be watching closely; any failure to respect and support the new parliament in its work will undo much of the progress that has been achieved so far.
11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Pathaan
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The biog
Prefers vegetables and fish to meat and would choose salad over pizza
Walks daily as part of regular exercise routine
France is her favourite country to visit
Has written books and manuals on women’s education, first aid and health for the family
Family: Husband, three sons and a daughter
Fathiya Nadhari's instructions to her children was to give back to the country
The children worked as young volunteers in social, education and health campaigns
Her motto is to never stop working for the country
RESULTS
Main card
Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision
Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision
Lightweight 60kg: Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision
Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
