Syrian President issued laws on multiparty government system and general election

Syrian President Bashar Assad endorsed Thursday the multi-party and general election laws, as part of reforms he announced, according to state-run news agency SANA. 

The multi-party law would allow other parties to compete with the ruling Baath party in any coming elections, while the election law would regulate the parliamentary and local council elections and ensure the safety of electoral process and the right of candidates to supervise the process.

“President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday issued Legislative Decree No. 100 for 2011 on Parties Law and Legislative Decree No. 101 for 2011 on General Election Law,” SANA said in a brief report.

“The establishment of any party has to be based on ... a commitment to the constitution, democratic principles, the rule of law and a respect for freedom and basic rights,” the SANA agency said, referring to conditions to be met by parties that want to apply for a license to operate legally.

Thursday's presidential decree comes after the Syrian government adopted a draft law on multiple political organizations last month.
  
At the time, SANA reported the draft legislation was “aimed at enriching political life, creating a new dynamic and allowing for a change in political power.” “The bill stipulates the essential objectives and principles governing the activities of parties, conditions for their establishment ... and rules relating to their financing, their rights and their obligations,” SANA said.
  
It prohibits parties founded on the basis “of religion, tribal affiliation, regional interests; professional organizations as well as parties which discriminate on the basis of race, sex or color,” the report said.