Residents of Derik boycott Syrian presidential elections

Derik, Syria – With the start of the Syrian presidential elections on Tuesday, many Kurdish activists in Syria protested against holding these elections. The protests’ slogans and screams condemned the elections process and the preparation of balloting centers in the Kurdish areas and called for boycotting them.

In the city of Derik (al-Malkiya) in northeastern Syria, the Kurdish Youth Movement (TCK) organized a protest to condemn the ongoing presidential elections, describing it “bloody elections” –in reference to the bloodshed coinciding with the elections.

Sabir Tayib, head of the TCK in Derik, told ARA News: “We condemn these elections or rather referendum, as it has been the same for forty years now.”

Tayib talked about the presidential candidates (three, including Bashar al-Assad himself) describing their participation as a farcical play that Syrian people would not believe.

“Who votes in these elections will betray the Syrian blood, martyrs and people. Bashar al-Assad does not deserve our precious votes,” Tayib argued.

Nonetheless, the three balloting boxes, which were supposed to be prepared in the main church in central Derik and the center of Ziheriya village and Azaz did not arrive in Derik.