The Supreme Judicial Committee for Elections announced on Monday the start of voting for the fourth legislative term of the People's Assembly.

In total, 8,151 polling centers across government-controlled areas opened their doors to voters at 7:00 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) and will remain open until 7:00 p.m. (1600 GMT).

The one-day election sees 1,516 candidates vying for 250 seats in the People's Assembly. Every citizen aged 18 and above is eligible to participate in the electoral process.

Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Committee, Judge Jihad Murad, said in a statement, "The opening of the ballot boxes marks the beginning of a crucial democratic process."

Murad outlined that the vote-counting process would start immediately after the ballot boxes close at each polling center, in the presence of candidates or their representatives, as well as media personnel. The Supreme Judicial Committee will announce the final results promptly after the vote counting is completed.

The Syrian parliamentary elections, also known as the People's Assembly elections, are held every four years.

The People's Assembly, Syria's legislative authority, is composed of 250 members elected through a mixed electoral system.

The candidates are generally affiliated with various political parties, with the majority representing the ruling Ba'ath Party and its allies.

Historically, these elections have been marked by the dominance of the Ba'ath Party, which has held power in Syria since 1963.