Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad has been re-elected for a fourth term. The results come amid reports of accusations that the polls were neither free nor fair.
The controversial vote reassured Assad’s stronghold on power in the war-torn country. There has been a decade-long civil conflict going on that has killed more than 388,000 people. It has also displaced millions and battered Syria’s infrastructure.
As per the parliamentary speaker Assad garnered 95.1 percent of the votes cast, trouncing two virtually unknown challengers.
The election was held in government-held areas. The vote took place amid the lowest levels of violence since the war erupted in 2011.
Assad’s campaign slogan remains “Hope through work”. Assad was first elected by referendum in 2000 after the death of his father Hafez al-Assad.
Moreover, the polls were not held under the political transition called for by Security Council Resolution 2254 which provides for free and fair elections.
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