Opposition unmoved as Syrians go to polls
Source: Agencies |
May 8, 2012, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SYRIANS cast ballots yesterday in parliamentary elections billed by the government as key to President Bashar Assad's political reforms, but the opposition dismissed the vote as a sham meant to preserve his autocratic rule.
Polls opened at 7am and Syrian state TV showed voters lining up and dropping white ballots in large, plastic boxes. Election officials say more than 7,000 candidates are competing for Syria's 250-member parliament seats in a country of almost 15 million eligible voters out of a population of 24 million.
The elections are the first under a new constitution, adopted three months ago. The charter for the first time allows the formation of political parties to compete with Assad's ruling Baath party and limits the president to two seven-year terms.
In recent weeks, candidates' photographs and banners have adorned the capital Damascus, in what government supporters say is a sign of burgeoning reform in a country ruled by a single family for more than four decades. But critics are deeply skeptical, saying the vote - and the candidates - have been orchestrated by the government.
Assad has made a series of gestures toward reform to try to allay the crisis, but his opponents say his efforts are too little, too late. Yesterday's vote had been postponed several times, most recently after the constitutional referendum in February allowed new political parties to run.
The parliament is not considered an influential body in Syria, where the real power is concentrated around Assad and a tight coterie of family and advisers. Experts say that despite the legal changes, Syria's oppressive security services keep true regime opponents from participating in politics.
Polls opened at 7am and Syrian state TV showed voters lining up and dropping white ballots in large, plastic boxes. Election officials say more than 7,000 candidates are competing for Syria's 250-member parliament seats in a country of almost 15 million eligible voters out of a population of 24 million.
The elections are the first under a new constitution, adopted three months ago. The charter for the first time allows the formation of political parties to compete with Assad's ruling Baath party and limits the president to two seven-year terms.
In recent weeks, candidates' photographs and banners have adorned the capital Damascus, in what government supporters say is a sign of burgeoning reform in a country ruled by a single family for more than four decades. But critics are deeply skeptical, saying the vote - and the candidates - have been orchestrated by the government.
Assad has made a series of gestures toward reform to try to allay the crisis, but his opponents say his efforts are too little, too late. Yesterday's vote had been postponed several times, most recently after the constitutional referendum in February allowed new political parties to run.
The parliament is not considered an influential body in Syria, where the real power is concentrated around Assad and a tight coterie of family and advisers. Experts say that despite the legal changes, Syria's oppressive security services keep true regime opponents from participating in politics.
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