80 % of former MPs run in April’s parliamentary elections
About 80% of the former members of parliament have registered to run in the forthcoming parliamentary election to be held on April 13th, the Damascus-based al-Watan newspaper says.
The pictures of the candidates plus short statements summarizing their agenda are posted in the streets of all Syrian cities and on Facebook pages within the election campaigns which started on March 14th.
The candidates are using social media, especially Facebook, to communicate with the largest number of voters and to save money in the campaigns, which show that a large portion of young candidates, aged below 30 years, are running for elections.
Over 11341 candidates are campaigning for a place in the country’s 250-seat parliament compared to 7195 in 2012.
Daily, all Syrian media outlets interview Syrian people in different cities to ask them about their demands from the members of parliaments, who are running for the coming elections.
Most of demands focused on improving the living conditions, combating corruption and creating job opportunities for young people.
Basma Qaddour