LATEST: Video — Aftermath of Air Strike on Damascus Suburb of Zakia

UPDATE 2015 GMT: Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Jihad al-Laham has announced that President Assad has been re-elected with 88.7% of the vote.

Al-Laham said 10,319,723 ballots were cast for Assad.


Syria’s regime will confirm President Assad’s re-election on Wednesday, nominally counting the vote and declaring a high turnout.

Assad is facing token challenges from businessman Hassan al-Nouri and MP Maher Hajjar.

State TV said voting was extended for five hours past the original deadline “because of the massive influx of voters”.

Polling only took place in regime-controlled areas, and millions of displaced Syrians were unable to participate.

The opposition called the ballot a “charade”, and activists said irregularities included the ability to vote by mobile phone.

The Wall Street Journal’s Sam Dagher offers a revealing snapshot of the vote in Damascus:

In the…neighborhood of Zahera al-Jadida, a building that houses a Ministry of Education department was transformed into a polling station with a large banner of Mr. Assad draped over its facade.

Buses pulled to the front of the building and disgorged public school teachers and school administrators. Inside, crowds danced and recited Mr. Assad’s name. Next to a ballot box, an election worker urged arrivals: “I want to hear you all repeat after me: ‘Long live Dr. Bashar al-Assad.'”…

At the Hayel Murshed technical high school in Jaramana, an election worker spoke on the phone with her relatives in the central province of Homs and wrote down their national ID numbers.

“I can vote for you here. Give me your national numbers. Who else? Ask uncle too,” said Siham Salloum, a physics professor.


Video: Aftermath of Air Strike on Damascus Suburb of Zakia

The regime continued its aerial assault on Damascus suburbs on Wednesday, including this strike no Zakia:

Activists reported at least eight barrel bombs on suburbs on Election Day, causing damage in areas like Darayya:

Kerry Calls on Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah to End War

In a visit to Beirut, Secretary of State John Kerry has asked allies of the Assad regime to end the Syrian conflict.

“I call on…Iran, Russia, and I call on Hezbollah, based right here in Lebanon, to engage in a legitimate effort to bring this war to an end.” Kerry told reporters .

Kerry criticized Tuesday’s Presidential vote in Syria: “(The) elections are non-elections, the elections are a great big zero.”

Video: State TV Correspondent Leads Voters in Cheers

In Latakia in western Syria, a correspondent for State TV sets aside journalism to lead voters in cheers: “Let’s go….Come on, we want to hear something nice, ‘We’ve come from Idlib for Syria!’”

Voting was not possible in most of Idlib Province on Tuesday, so some residents travelled to Latakia on the Mediterrean coast to cast ballots.

The anchor interrupted the festivities, twice telling the correspondent, “Linar…you’re on the air.”

(h/t Syria Direct)

Shelling Kills Volunteer in Red Crescent Office

The Syrian Red Crescent reports the death of one of its volunteers in an attack on Rastan in Homs Province:

Activists: 18 Killed and 80 Injured in Regime Attacks on Damascus Suburb of Douma

Activists report that 18 people have been killed and more than 80 injured in regime ground and air attacks on the Damascus suburb of Douma.

The activists say there were at least six airstrikes as ground forces fired rockets.

Radio Free Syria gives the names of 17 of the victims, including two children.

Observers Declare Election “Valid”

In an unsurprising announcement, observers approved the Presidential vote on Wednesday, saying “the expression of people’s will was valid and the polls passed in a democratic and positive atmosphere”.

Eight countries, including Syria’s allies Russia and Iran, sent Parliamentary observers.

The Russian news agency Itar-Tass reports that an Iranian representative opened the meeting by accusing the US and its European allies of double standards over the “obvious free choice of Syrian people”. A US activist followed with criticism of the White House and a promise that he would inform Americans about a real situation in Syria.

The meeting continues behind closed doors. Observers promise to inform the press about the results of the meeting after consultations.

Iranian FM Zarif Criticizes Those Advocating Military Solution

Speaking on the day of Syria’s Presidential election, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has criticized those advocating a military solution to the 39-month conflict.

Zarif asked, at a press conference in Tehran with his Luxembourg counterpart:

Why do you hinder the Syrian people from deciding their own destiny, and why are you biased towards Syria’s future?…The ballot box is surely the best way to determine the future of Syria.

(Cross-posted from Iran Daily)

Photo: Assad Joins Youth for Election Day “Selfie”

Local Coordination Committees: 107 Killed on Election Day

The Local Coordination Committees said that 107 people were killed on Tuesday, including 10 women and 17 children.

Of the deaths, 44 were in Aleppo Province and 35 in Damascus and its suburbs.

Authorities: 300 Released from Aleppo Central Prison

Aleppo’s Attorney General, Ibrahim Hilal, announced on Tuesday that 300 detainees will be released from Aleppo Central Prison.

Hilal said the decision was made by two judicial committees directed by President Assad to examine the situation of the prisoners.

Last month the Syrian military broke a year-long siege by insurgents on the Prison.

Activists say hundreds of prisoners have died from abuse and starvation in the complex.