MESOP Syria Daily: “Counting” Vote in Assad’s Re-Election

By Scott Lucas June 4, 2014 06:39 Updated – Syria’s regime will confirm President Assad’s re-election on Wednesday, nominally counting the vote and declaring a high turnout.

Assad is facing token challenges from businessman Hassan al-Nouri and MP Maher Hajjar.State TV said voting was extended for five hours past the original deadline “because of the massive influx of voters”.

Polling only took place in regime-controlled areas, and millions of displaced Syrians were unable to participate.

The opposition called the ballot a “charade”, and activists said irregularities included the ability to vote by mobile phone.

The Wall Street Journal’s Sam Dagher offers a revealing snapshot of the vote in Damascus:

In the…neighborhood of Zahera al-Jadida, a building that houses a Ministry of Education department was transformed into a polling station with a large banner of Mr. Assad draped over its facade.

Buses pulled to the front of the building and disgorged public school teachers and school administrators. Inside, crowds danced and recited Mr. Assad’s name. Next to a ballot box, an election worker urged arrivals: “I want to hear you all repeat after me: ‘Long live Dr. Bashar al-Assad.’”…

At the Hayel Murshed technical high school in Jaramana, an election worker spoke on the phone with her relatives in the central province of Homs and wrote down their national ID numbers.

“I can vote for you here. Give me your national numbers. Who else? Ask uncle too,” said Siham Salloum, a physics professor.