Syrian officials have claimed a large turnout in the country’s presidential election which is expected to deliver an overwhelming victory for President Bashar al Assad. <br /><br />Although it was nominally contested by two other candidates, internationally the process (in the midst of Syria’s devastating civil war) has been condemned as a charade. <br /><br />Syrian state television showed long queues of people waiting to cast their ballots in polling stations under government control. <br /><br />There is no doubt Assad does have strong support among Alawite, Christian and Druze communities who see him as a protector against radical Sunni Muslim insurgents.<br /><br />But in rebel held areas amateur video showed opposition supporters staging a mock election, voting for the removal of Assad, using their shoes as ballots.<br /><br />As the election took place fighting continued in Aleppo and a Damascus suburb.<br /><br />Official election results are expected soon with Assad having been given another seven year term. <br /><br />While the UN warned that the poll would most likely prolong the conflict, Assad expects it to be a vindication of his regime.
