Syrians were voting today in municipal elections held amid a general strike called by the opposition and as security forces killed another seven people as they pursued a crackdown on dissent.
Syrians were voting today in municipal elections held amid a general strike called by the opposition and as security forces killed another seven people as they pursued a crackdown on dissent.
The elections committee, in a statement received by AFP, said "voting is proceeding in a democratic spirit," adding that voting turnout was "good." It did not elaborate.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said seven people were killed in the flashpoint regions of Homs and Idlib on today, while strikes were observed in Daraa, cradle of nine months of anti-regime protests, and near Damascus.
Opposition activists have urged citizens to intensify a civil disobedience campaign launched on yesterday in a bid to bring down the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
Polling stations opened at 0600 GMT, with 42,889 candidates vying for 17,588 seats, and were due to close at 2000 GMT.
Information Minister Adnan Mahmud told AFP the elections were part of a reform package pledged by the authorities to promote democracy and would be followed by legislative polls in February.
"These elections are taking place on time in line with a reform programme," Mahmud told AFP.
"They are taking place although some are trying, in vain, to stop them through terrorist acts carried out by armed groups who are terrorising the citizens," he said.
Last week local administration minister Omar Ghalawanji said a special indelible ink would be used for the first time in the municipal elections "to prevent any fraud."
"I voted because we want to contribute to the reforms (pledged by Assad) and chose the best" candidates, said Zeina, a 35-year-old woman, as she emerged from a polling state in the central Ummayad Square of Damascus.
Ahmad, a pro-regime taxi driver, said the vote was essential "as a response to those calling for a strike."
But a regime opponent, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he did not expect a huge turnout.
"I am surprised that elections are taking place under such circumstances," he said. "Cities gripped by the uprising are not concerned by these elections."
The dissident said he expected voting to be limited to areas where protests against the Assad regime have been scarce or non-existent such as Aleppo, Syria's second city and economic hub.
There have been little or no anti-regime protests in large urban areas like Aleppo and in many part of the capital Damascus.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}