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Syrians Vote in Local Elections as Idlib Shudders

Published September 17th, 2018 - 09:51 GMT

Written by Sally Shakkour


For the first time in seven years, Syrians have headed to the poll stations in order to vote in local elections in a sign of returning security and normalcy after several years of war and Instability. 

Over 40,000 candidates are competeing for seats across all provinces in Syria, but no voting was allowed in areas outside government control. Voting is set to last for 12 hours with a potential 5-hour extension depending on turnout.

The elections come on the eve of a massive military offensive against the last rebel stronghold in Idlib. The vast majority of candidates up for election are part of the rulling Ba'ath party, making the election a largely symbolic gesture organized by the government to show the world it has regained a sense of political normalcy. 

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A man casts his ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018 in the southern Eastern Ghouta, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

A man casts his ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018 in the southern Eastern Ghouta, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

A man casts his ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018 in the southern Eastern Ghouta, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

A man casts his ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018 in the southern Eastern Ghouta, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

A woman dips her index finger in ink after casting her ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

A woman dips her index finger in ink after casting her ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

A man and a woman show their ink-stained index fingers after voting for Syria's first local elections since 2011. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

A man and a woman show their ink-stained index fingers after voting for Syria's first local elections since 2011. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

Women walks past a poster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

Women walks past a poster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

A woman casts her ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018 in the southern Eastern Ghouta, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

A woman casts her ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018 in the southern Eastern Ghouta, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

Syria last held local elections in December 2011. (AFP/File)

Syria last held local elections in December 2011. (AFP/File)

Syrians in government areas vote in first local polls since 2011 on September 16, 2018. (AFP/ File)

Syrians in government areas vote in first local polls since 2011 on September 16, 2018. (AFP/ File)

More than 6,550 voting centres opened at 7:00 am across government-held parts of the country. (AP/File)

More than 6,550 voting centres opened at 7:00 am across government-held parts of the country. (AP/File)

A man casts his ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018 in the southern Eastern Ghouta, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
A man casts his ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018 in the southern Eastern Ghouta, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
A woman dips her index finger in ink after casting her ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
A man and a woman show their ink-stained index fingers after voting for Syria's first local elections since 2011. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
Women walks past a poster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
A woman casts her ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018 in the southern Eastern Ghouta, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
Syria last held local elections in December 2011. (AFP/File)
Syrians in government areas vote in first local polls since 2011 on September 16, 2018. (AFP/ File)
More than 6,550 voting centres opened at 7:00 am across government-held parts of the country. (AP/File)
A man casts his ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018 in the southern Eastern Ghouta, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
A man casts his ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018 in the southern Eastern Ghouta, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
A man casts his ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018 in the southern Eastern Ghouta, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
A man casts his ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018 in the southern Eastern Ghouta, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
A woman dips her index finger in ink after casting her ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
A woman dips her index finger in ink after casting her ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
A man and a woman show their ink-stained index fingers after voting for Syria's first local elections since 2011. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
A man and a woman show their ink-stained index fingers after voting for Syria's first local elections since 2011. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
Women walks past a poster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
Women walks past a poster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
A woman casts her ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018 in the southern Eastern Ghouta, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
A woman casts her ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on September 16, 2018 in the southern Eastern Ghouta, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus. (LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
Syria last held local elections in December 2011. (AFP/File)
Syria last held local elections in December 2011. (AFP/File)
Syrians in government areas vote in first local polls since 2011 on September 16, 2018. (AFP/ File)
Syrians in government areas vote in first local polls since 2011 on September 16, 2018. (AFP/ File)
More than 6,550 voting centres opened at 7:00 am across government-held parts of the country. (AP/File)
More than 6,550 voting centres opened at 7:00 am across government-held parts of the country. (AP/File)
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