Syria’s presidential elections, explained
Described as a farce by opponents, Syria’s upcoming presidential elections are designed to keep President Bashar al-Assad in power until at least 2028.
Syrians on Wednesday cast their votes in an election that rights groups and Western governments say is a foregone conclusion. President Bashar al-Assad is all but guaranteed to win the presidential poll, securing a fourth seven-year term in the midst of a decade-long revolt against his rule.
Who is running?
Under Syria’s constitution, elections for the presidency are held every seven years and must take place at least 90 days before the incumbent’s term expires.
A record 51 Syrians applied to run for president in 2021, including seven women and a Syrian Kurd. Of that group, Syria’s Supreme Constitutional Court determined that Assad and two other men met the requirements for eligibility. Abdullah Salloum Abdullah is a former deputy cabinet minister and Mahmoud Ahmad Marie runs a small, government-approved opposition bloc, Reuters reports.
