A woman dipping her index finger in ink after casting her ballot for Syria's first local elections since 2011, on Sunday — AFP DAMASCUS, Sept 16 (AFP): Syrians in government-controlled areas cast their ballots on Sunday in the first local elections there since 2011, when the country's ill-fated uprising erupted against President Bashar al-Assad's rule.
Seven years since the last vote, the conflict has killed more than 360,000 people, forced millions more to flee, and left the economy in tatters. More than 6,550 voting centres opened at 7:00 am across government-held parts of the country, state media reported.
They will be open for 12 hours, with a potential five-hour extension depending on turnout, reported state news agency SANA.
It said more than 40,000 candidates would compete for 18,478 seats on local administrative councils.
In Damascus, election posters mostly featuring incumbents were plastered across public squares, including in the Old City.
Mohammad Kabbadi, a 42-year-old government employee, cast his ballot in the Bab Sharqi district of the capital for a candidate from his neighbourhood.
"I know exactly who I am going to vote for-he's young, active and his victory will bring good things to residents of this area," said Kabbadi.
By the afternoon, authorities had not published any official turnout data.
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