Brussels, 07/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 7 May, the Syrian authorities held the country's first “multi-party” general election for half a century, an election which has been boycotted by the opposition, describing them as a “masquerade”. More than 7,000 candidates are in contention for the 250 seats in parliament, and 15 million Syrians are eligible to vote.
The Syrian Minister for Information, Adnane Mahmoud, said that “by taking part in the general elections, Syrians are defying the campaign of terrorism and aggression carried out by international and regional parties, involved in a terrorist war against the country”. He described the ballot as a “democratic operation”.
For its part, the Syrian National Council (SNC) stressed that “a man who has bathed Syria in blood, forced 2 million Syrians into exodus and fires upon Syrian people has no legitimacy to draft a constitution, promulgate an electoral law or call elections”. A member of the SNC described the elections as “a parody, a farce”.
With the authorities announcing that they have taken the necessary measures “to prevent any security breaches which could influence the electoral process”, at least seven people have been killed, at least five explosions have shaken Idleb and fighting has continued in several provinces on Monday. According to opponents of the regime, a number of rebel towns are planning to boycott the vote. (CG/transl.fl)