QAMISHLI, Syria — The newly established canton administrations in Syria will not allow the Syrian government to place election ballot boxes in Kurdish-controlled cities in northern Syria on June 3. Only in the cities of Qamishli and Hasakah, where there is still a regime presence, will the government be able to install ballot boxes.

The Syrian government sent 350 ballot boxes to Qamishli's airport and 70 to Hasakah. Syrian citizens will be allowed to vote with their identity cards in regime-controlled security areas in Hasakah and Qamishli city, and in the military base and airport of Qamishli.

Nasr Mohammed, a Kurd from Amuda, said he would vote for presidential candidate Maher Abdul-Hafiz Hajjar “because he is a communist.” He told Al-Monitor, “I will go to Qamishli, since as of now the administration has not permitted voting in Amuda. It’s only possible in Qamishli and Hasakah city.”

Syrian government officials have paid several visits to the city of Qamishli as part of preparations for the elections, and more militiamen are seen on the streets of Qamishli, increasing tensions with Kurdish forces patrolling there.