01:03Syria: Assad and his wife cast ballots as parliamentary elections kick off
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad cast his ballot in the Syrian parliamentary elections at the Assad Library in Damascus, Wednesday.
The Syrian leader was accompanied by his wife Asma; they were greeted by a crowd of and supporters who gathered to watch as the presidential couple voted to elect the People's Council of Syria.
Elections were held in 13 out of 15 provinces, as the Raqqa and Idlib provinces are still under control of the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) and Jabhat Al-Nusra respectively. Over 3,500 candidates are competing for 250 seats in parliament, while 7,000 others dropped out. The opposition have denounced the election, claiming it undermines the Geneva peace talks.
Parliamentary elections are held every four years in Syria. Despite criticism from the opposition and the West, the Syrian government defended the process saying it is constitutional and has nothing to do with the peace talks that run separately.
01:03Syrian President Bashar al-Assad cast his ballot in the Syrian parliamentary elections at the Assad Library in Damascus, Wednesday.
The Syrian leader was accompanied by his wife Asma; they were greeted by a crowd of and supporters who gathered to watch as the presidential couple voted to elect the People's Council of Syria.
Elections were held in 13 out of 15 provinces, as the Raqqa and Idlib provinces are still under control of the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) and Jabhat Al-Nusra respectively. Over 3,500 candidates are competing for 250 seats in parliament, while 7,000 others dropped out. The opposition have denounced the election, claiming it undermines the Geneva peace talks.
Parliamentary elections are held every four years in Syria. Despite criticism from the opposition and the West, the Syrian government defended the process saying it is constitutional and has nothing to do with the peace talks that run separately.