Vote count continues in Syrian provinces, capital

Middle East 4 June, 2014 16:54

People’s massive celebrations lasted all night long on the streets of the Syrian capital, Damascus. People were singing and dancing. Despite festivities, this is a workday in Syria on Wednesday. All people are waiting for the results of the presidential election with impatience.

In reply to an ITAR-TASS journalist’s question to an official of the Supreme Judicial Committee for Elections, the country’s Central Election Commission (CEC), to tell how the votes were being counted, she said, “At the present moment, all provinces are processing ballot papers. For security reasons, all roads leading to the capital are blocked. Vote count is in progress simultaneously in Damascus and provinces.” She added that the situation would be clearer closer to Wednesday evening.

Representative of Syrian CEC Hisham al-Shaar said in an exclusive interview with ITAR-TASS earlier that there will be no preliminary results, and only final election results will be announced.

International observers at elections from countries friendly to Syria, including Russia, have issued a final communique recognizing lawfulness of voting.

“We recognize the lawfulness of these elections. Russia will do everything to support the legal statehood in the Syrian republic,” head of the Russian delegation and First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee for Constitutional Legislation and State Construction Alexei Alexandrov said in Damascus on Wednesday.

Syrian presidential elections ended at midnight to Wednesday. The elections were held on an alternative basis for the first time in the history of the country. The voting that started at 7 am on Tuesday was extended for five hours until midnight over the highest turnout. Incumbent President Bashar Assad is an undisputable frontrunner of the presidential race.