Damascus: The campaign slogans posted on buildings, trees and buses across the capital promise reform, transparency and prosperity.
But few expect Syria's parliamentary elections today to come up with any change beyond further consolidating the country's regime.
The elections, held every four years, come at a time when Syria is seeking to overcome its international isolation. President Bashar Al Assad wants to capitalise on the two-day event to project an image of openness. Opposition groups have called for a boycott of the balloting which they describe as a farce.
The ruling Baath Party and the National Progressive Front are assured of certain victory, regardless of the turnout in the vote, since Syria's constitution reserves two-thirds of legislature for candidates from the ruling coalition. The remaining seats will be filled by candidates running independently, but their candidacy must be preapproved by the government.
July referendum
Among the first tasks facing the new parliament is approving the Baath Party nomination for the Syrian president for a second seven-year term in office. Bashar is hoping today's elections will boost his standing ahead of a July referendum on renewing his mandate, even though he is expected to win the summer vote easily.
"The election is nothing but an occasion for the Syrian regime to reinforce its iron grip over Syrian society," said Maamoun Homsi, a former legislator who spent five years in jail for his criticism of the government. "How can we talk about free elections when Syrian intellectuals and human rights activists are languishing in prison cells," said Homsi, who has left Syria and spoke over the telephone.
Turnout is expected to be low, a tradition in Syria where parliament has no real role in policy-making.
Interior Minister Bassam Abdel-Majid said his ministry will "ensure the voting progresses in a quiet and democratic climate."
But deflecting from praise in Syrian state newspapers of how democratic the vote will be, the government Tishreen daily acknowledged that Syria had its own peculiar style of democracy. Its front page editorial read: "Tomorrow will be a date with a new and important step toward democracy - the Syrian way."
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From: Gulf News, Published on 22/4 2007
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