Diaspora vote in Syrians Presidential election

Also, according to reports refugees in Lebanon and Jordan are being given the chance to vote early in the presidential election.In Nigeria voting began at 7am local time at the Syrian embassy in Abuja and ended at 7pm.The Head of the Syrian Mission/ Charge d’Affaires in Nigeria, Dr. Shafik Daiyob told Daily Trust that Syrians […]

Also, according to reports refugees in Lebanon and Jordan are being given the chance to vote early in the presidential election.
In Nigeria voting began at 7am local time at the Syrian embassy in Abuja and ended at 7pm.
The Head of the Syrian Mission/ Charge d’Affaires in Nigeria, Dr. Shafik Daiyob told Daily Trust that Syrians are happy for the development as enshrined in the constitution.
He added that the election is important to the country because it is first time Syria in its history will have a multi-party system polls where three candidates are contesting for the presidency.
He said the vote is a crucial factor in selecting the president   and hope that the election will represent a big effort to overcome the crisis which has linger in the country for more than three years.
One of the voters, Mr. Hassan Rizk who spoke on behalf of other Syrians expressed happiness for the conduct of the election and opportunity for them to cast their votes.
“Every vote matters but this one is very important because it determines the future of the country due to the current crisis the country is going through,” Rizk said.
The envoy disclosed that there are about 500 Syrians in Nigeria spread across the states but only 350 of them registered to vote.
In Lebanon and Jordan the main polling stations opened at the Syrian embassies in Beirut and Amman on Wednesday.
The UN says 2.8 million Syrian refugees have fled to neighbouring countries.
President Bashar al-Assad is widely expected to win a third seven-year term in office in the 3 June election, which has been branded a farce by the West.
Thousands of Syrians have been flocking to their embassy in the hills overlooking Beirut, the BBC reports from the scene.
Half of the one million Syrian refugees registered in Lebanon are believed to be of voting age. But there is only one polling station and the facilities appear insufficient to cope with the large numbers coming in, our correspondent says.
Embassy officials say they may extend the time for voting if large numbers are unable to take part.
Supporters of President Assad’s government will be keen to demonstrate their loyalty, our correspondent says.
Others who are not hardcore backers of the opposition may feel the government is going to survive, and fear they will not be able to return home if they do not vote.