Turnout of Syrian parliamentary elections 51.26 pct (lead: Syria polls) | Middle East Star

Turnout of Syrian parliamentary elections 51.26 pct (lead: Syria polls)

Middle East Star (ANI) Tuesday 15th May, 2012

Damascus (Syria), May 15 (Xinhua-ANI): Syria's recent parliamentary elections were conducted in a "free" climate and the voters' turnout is estimated at 51.26 percent, chairman of Syrian higher committee of elections said Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference at the Justice Ministry in the capital Damascus, Khlaf Azawi said the number of eligible voters is 10,118,519, while only 5.186 million have cast valid ballots.

A total of 7,195 candidates, including 710 women, were competing for seats in the legislature.

The elections on May 7 ran "smoothly and easily," Azawi said, adding that Syrian voters were "free to elect the one that represents them."

He said the turnout was "good," adding that 30 women won in the elections, making the number of female lawmakers the same as in the previous term.

The announcement of election results has been postponed for several days, as voting was re-conducted at several electoral centers across the country due to some violations of the election law.

The elections are the first under the new constitution adopted three months ago that allows political parties to compete with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's ruling Baath Party.

A total of 11 new parties participated in the elections, along with 10 parties of the National Progressive Front headed by the Baath party, as well as some independents.

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