SYRIANS voted for in a parliamentary election today that could pave the way for a constitutional amendment to extend the rule of President Bashar al-Assad.

This year, 1,516 government-approved candidates are seeking seats in the 250-member People’s Assembly. 

There were 8,151 polling stations set up in 15 voting districts of government-held areas.

In the last round of elections in 2020, the outcome was delayed for days due to technical problems, according to officials. 

Mr Assad’s Ba’ath Party won 166 seats, with 17 others going to allied parties and 67 being gained by independent candidates.

The poll took place as Syria’s economy continues to suffer from the effects of years of conflict, US-led sanctions and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The government has taken action by doubling public-sector wages and pensions, but the international value of the national currency is low, which has helped to spark food and fuel inflation.

Voters told reporters that fixing Syria’s hobbling economy is a key issue for them.

“We hope that our trust in these new legislators will bring good to the country and improve conditions,” said Ahmad al-Afoush, after voting in Damascus.

Shirine al-Khleif expressed hope that the new parliament would act to raise living standards.

“I don’t want to say that the predecessors weren’t good. We just want things to improve,” the engineer said.

In the Druze-majority southern province of Sweida, where anti-government protests have been regular occurrences, many called for a boycott of the election. 

Elsewhere, campaigning was low-key, as candidates focused mainly on general slogans such as national unity and prosperity.

With Mr Assad facing term limits that would end his presidency in 2028, the next parliament is widely expected to try to pass a constitutional amendment to extend his rule.