Photo- Constitutional Referundum Polling Centers in All Provinces Witness Increasing Turnout

Syrian citizens continue to flock to the polling centers distributed in all Syrian provinces to give their opinion on the new draft constitution of Syria, as the polling centers witnessed increasing turnout which reflect the citizens’ keenness on moving forward the reform process.

Minister of Interior Mohammed al-Shaar on Sunday said that the polling process on the new draft constitution runs normally in the most of provinces, adding that the polling centers witness huge turnout of the citizens except in some areas.

A number of citizens told SANA reporters after voting that their participation in the referendum reflects their support to the comprehensive reform program, asserting that the new constitution establish a new future for Syria.

In Damascus, the polling centers witnessed remarkable participation in the referendum process. Participants in the referendum expressed confidence that the constitution fortifies the workers’ status and enhances their role in building the renewable Syria, asserting that they voted freely and transparently.

In Sweida, 375 polling centers witnessed high turnout. The citizens in Sweida stressed that the new draft constitution meet the aspirations of the Syrian citizens as it guarantees the dignity, freedom and rights of the citizens and enhances democracy through political pluralism.

They pointed out to the democratic atmosphere of the referendum process, asserting that voting is a national duty and that the new draft constitution reflects the desires of the Syrian people in political pluralism and democracy and guarantees the freedom of opinion and expression.

In Lattakia, the citizens flocked to the polling centers to participate in the referendum on the new draft constitution early in the morning.

The citizens in Lattakia stressed that the new draft constitution meets the aspirations of the Syrian people, asserting that it matches the best constitutions of the developed countries.

Referendum on the new draft constitution for the Syria Arab Republic started on Sunday morning at seven a.m. in the centers distributed in all provinces, border centers, airports and Badia.

The total number of referendum centers amounted to 14185 after some provinces asked to increase the number set previously at 13835 centers. Mobile centers are also available in the desert for the Bedouins who cannot come to referendum centers.

The referendum is held according to voting tables distributed to all centers in order to match the voters’ names as to avoid double voting.

The citizen can vote with his/ her identity card or what can substitute it such as the election card, valid passport, driving license, syndicate card or the university card. Instructions were distributed in each center in all provinces so the citizen get acquainted with the steps they should know to vote.

The referendum operation will continue until 07:00 p.m. local time and, in case the head of any center found high turnout, he/she has the authority to extend the time of voting until 10:00 p.m. only, then the center to be closed.

In Aleppo, citizens of different social, economic and cultural spectrums headed to the polling centers, whose number exceeded 1625, distributed throughout the province.

The citizens underlined the importance of their participation as the new constitution will draw up the future of Syria and preserve its security and stability.

Head of Aleppo Chamber of Commerce said the constitution articles related to the economic life are balanced and comprehensive as they are aimed at achieving sustainable development that is based on production and creating new job opportunities.

Citizens of Homs province came in crowds to the 581 polling centers to participate in the constitutional referendum, stressing that the new constitution is a popular demand to reach a democratic life which suits all spectrums of the Syrian society.

They stressed that the draft constitution is an important reform step as it addressed all the political, economic and social aspects of life, pointing out that the big turnout of citizens is evidence on the facts that the Syrians are committed to their independent decision to self-determination.

Voting at 1160 polling centers, the voters in Hama said that the amendments to the new constitution served the reform program adopted by the leadership.

They indicated that the draft constitution guaranteed the political rights and underlined the independence of justice and the freedom of press, in addition to preserving the citizens’ rights.

In Tartous, the citizens turned out in big number to cast ballots at 710 polling centers out of belief in their duty in voting on the new constitution, which they said contributes to enhancing political plurality, respecting communities in Syria and preserving stability in the country.

In Raqqa province, the citizens headed to the 597 polling centers distributed all over the province, stressing that the draft constitution constitutes an important step towards coming out of the crisis their country is going through.

In Hasaka, head of one of the polling centers province, which count 903, said that the citizens arrived successively since the early hours in the morning, stressing that all procedures were taken to ensure that the referendum process goes properly.

The voters said that the new draft constitution draws up a new map of a renewed Syria in all fields as it serves the interests of the youth and gives them their actual and real role in society, being the active spectrum at this critical stage their country is going through.

Speaker of the People’s Assembly Mahmoud al-Abrash, upon voting on the new constitution, said that the Syrians themselves build up the future of their country through their participation in the draft constitution referendum.

Speaker of the People’s Assembly Mahmoud al-Abrash, upon voting on the new constitution, said that the Syrians themselves build up the future of their country through their participation in the draft constitution referendum.

For his part, Prime Minister Adel Safar stressed in a statement to the journalists that the draft constitution meets the Syrian people’s aspirations as it focuses on their needs in the various fields, particularly those related to health, education, guaranteeing the private property, freedoms and the independence of justice.

He added that the draft constitution is an important step in Syria’s history and will be effective in achieving political plurality and ensuring democracy and freedom.

For his part, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem said the referendum on the new draft constitution marks a historic day in the life of the Syrian people who have stressed their steadfastness and unity and therefore deserved a new constitution to move toward a new stage of democracy and political plurality.

Asked to address a message to the outside, al-Moallem said “My message to the outside is to address their own internal worries and to leave Syria alone,” adding that “those who care for the interest of the Syrian people don’t impose sanctions on it.”

Interior Minister Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ibrahim al-Shaar said the constitutional referendum crowned a package of reforms commenced by the leadership, adding that the referendum process has proceeded normally in the majority of provinces regions.

Minister of Local Administration Eng. Omar Ghalawanji, Minister of Justice Judge Tayseer Qala Awwad, Minister of Health Dr. Wael Nader al-Halqi, Minister of Education Saleh al-Rashed and Minister of Electricity Imad Khamis also voted on the draft of the new constitution.