Presidential Candidates Cast Their Votes
DAMASCUS, (ST)-Presidential candidate Dr. Bashar Al-Assad and his wife Mrs. Asma Al-Assad on Tuesday cast their votes in the country’s presidential elections at Martyr Naeem Ma’sarani School polling center in al-Maleki area in Damascus.
Presidential elections kicked off across Syria at 7 a.m. today with election centers witnessing a huge turnout by voters.
Dr. Hassan al-Nouri, the presidential candidate, also cast his vote at the Sheraton Hotel election center.
In a statement to journalists, Dr. al-Nouri described the electoral process as democratic and transparent.
“Thanks to the strong will of Syria’s great people and army, we started a new era of victory over terrorism and over the global war hatched against the country,” Dr. al-Nouri said.
He pointed out that after elections, a new Syria with deeper democratic and political pluralism will be born and the country will witness a great national victory.
He referred to the massive turnout on elections, stressing that such turnout needs extending the election period for an extra day.
“President Bashar Al-Assad enjoys great popularity, but also faces strong competitors. I promise the Syrians, if I become a president, to press ahead with the process of national reconciliation, terrorism fighting and national dialogue until peace and security are restored to Syria. I will also start a hoped-for social, administrative and economic reform project.”
“Those who boycotted the elections will regret their behavior,” he said in reference to the opposition parties inside Syria.
Dr. Al-Nouri stressed that even if he doesn’t win, he will continue to be the good citizen who work hard to serve the interest of the homeland. “I am optimistic about myself being a key player in Syria’s future policy and all will play a national role in attaining the complete victory,” he said.
Al-Nouri described the French decision to prevent the Syrian presidential elections in France as a grave mistake committed against France and against the democracy and human rights claimed by the French state.
H. Mustafa