REVOLT

Syria Votes on Referendum

As violence continues.

A referendum for change or a public sham? Syrian citizens head to the polls to cast a vote on the new constitution, touted by the government, that calls for parliamentary elections within three months. There are also provisions in constitution that suggest government permission is needed to form a party or conduct political activity. Attacks by government forces have reportedly killed dozens on Sunday. While some polling booths are empty, Syrian state television is showing video of overwhelming public support for the new constitution. Almost 100 people were killed on the eve of a national referendum on a new constitution, Syrian activists say, calling the vote a sham and promising a boycott. Almost half of the dead were in the city of Homs, which has been the target of a concentrated assault on opposition fighters for three weeks.