Syrians vote in local polls as Army regains control

Syrians have cast their ballots in the first local elections since the uprising swept the country in 2011; which has eventually turned into the world’s most tragic conflict.

Polling booths received the voters at 7am (04:00 GMT) on Sunday across government-held parts of the country where more than 40,000 candidates would compete for 18,478 seats on local administrative councils.

The booths will be opened for 12 hours with a potential five-hour extension depending on turnout.

Syrian state television broadcast footage of voters around Damascus and in the coastal government bastions of Tartus and Latakia.