More than 7,400 polling stations will open at 7.30am (0430 GMT) in government-held parts of Syria, including for the first time in former opposition strongholds. Portraits of the contenders have been displayed across the capital for weeks, with the 1,658 candidates including several prominent businessmen. Millions of Syrians living abroad, after fleeing a war that has killed more than 380,000 people, are not eligible to vote. The elections also come as Assad marked a second decade in power this month, and weeks after the United States imposed new sanctions on Syria including on the president's wife. The next presidential polls are expected in 2021, and candidates will need the written approval of at least 35 members of parliament.

Source: Daily Nation July 19, 2020 03:56 UTC