Syria goes to polls amid peace talks

As peace talks to restore normalcy in Syria resumed in Geneva on Wednesday, Syrians in government-held regions voted in the parliamentary elections, which have been dubbed as illegitimate by President Bashar al-Assad’s opponents and some Western powers. The elections are held just a day after fresh violence erupted between government troops and Syrian rebels across northern and western Syria.

The Guardian reports:

The voting, which saw a heavy turnout and was extended by five hours, is unlikely to spring up any surprises or “challenge the dominance” of Assad’s regime. Amid voices questioning the legitimacy of polls, the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, supported the elections calling them important to “avoid a legal vacuum” before a transition.

Reuters writes:

In the Syrian presidential system, the 250 M.P.s being elected through the polls lack any control in parliament. The opposition in Syria, which wants peace talks to emphasize “political transition” in the country, termed the elections as “meaningless”, a view that was shared by Britain and France.

The BBC writes:

Assad’s decision to participate in Geneva peace talks in addition to holding parliamentary elections signals his “growing confidence” while sending a clear message to the international community that “the Assad regime is the only legitimate government in Syria.”