Pakistan, Oct. 5 -- Syria is selecting members of its first parliament after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, but the process has already drawn sharp criticism for being undemocratic and tightly controlled. Interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa will directly appoint 70 out of 210 members, while local committees handpicked by his electoral commission will choose the rest, raising concerns about fairness and transparency. Critics argue this method effectively concentrates power in Sharaa's hands, sidelining genuine democratic participation.

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The assembly, expected to have a 30-month renewable mandate, will serve as a temporary legislature under the transitional constitution until a perm...