Syrians voted on Sunday in the first parliamentary election since President Bashar al-Assad succeeded his father in 2000.
About 11 million voters will choose 250 representatives for the People's Assembly from 4,945 candidates - a mix of independents and members of political parties.
The ruling Socialist Arab Baath Party (SABP) and its six allies in the left-leaning National Progressive Front (NPF) traditionally dominate the assembly. Many analysts expect the new house to quicken the pace of implementing economic and political reforms introduced by President Assad.
Political campaigners toured polling stations, some wearing T-shirts bearing candidates' names or photographs.
Many of the candidates have gained momentum from Assad's reforms and presented ambitious programs promoting a modern economy and larger popular participation in political life.
The current parliament finished its four-year term late last year, Reuters reported.
Five new opposition political groupings have boycotted the election, arguing that the process is not democratic, but many said they lacked voter support.
The Ministry of Interior has taken all the necessary procedures to ensure the freedom for the citizen to elect his or her representative, SANA reported. Interior Minister Ali Hammoud has said that the state has created commissions to register complaints by candidates or voters.
The number of people who have the right to exercise their right to vote has mounted to 10,817,821 and the number of the balloting centers reached 11,400 throughout the country.
(Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
