Polling stations opened May 24 in Syria's northeast as the region held its first elections for the national People's Assembly in areas formerly controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The vote marks a significant step in the country's transitional process, and integrating the previously autonomous region into national institutions.

The vote covers al-Hasakah city, Qamishli, Derik (al-Malikiyah), and Kobani (Ayn al-Arab), areas that were absent from the broader parliamentary process held last October due to political and security conditions.

Al-Hasakah province has been allocated nine seats in the transitional assembly: four for Qamishli, three for al-Hasakah city, and two for Derik. Candidates are being selected through electoral colleges made up of vetted local members under the framework established by Syria's transitional framework.

The elections in al-Hasakah begin implementation of the January agreement between the SDF and Damascus aimed at integrating northeastern Syria into state institutions as negotiations continue over governance arrangements, local administration, and the future of SDF-linked military and security structures.

The process has not been without criticism, however. Kurdish political parties and groups linked to the Autonomous Administration have voiced objections to the allocation of seats and the mechanism used to form the transitional assembly, arguing that Kurdish representation remains insufficient and warning that the current structure could reproduce patterns of political exclusion.

The current process remains an interim system rather than Syria's final constitutional order. The People's Assembly operates under transitional arrangements, with a mixed structure combining elected members and presidential appointments. It nonetheless represents an early test of whether Syria's reintegration can proceed through participation rather than coercion, and through integration without erasure.

Adopted from Radio Free Syria, May 24