Syrians Vote Despite Lack of Real Choice

Voting has so far been slow in Syria where a two-day election for a new parliament is under way, reports say.

Unlike the polls in Nigeria or France, there is almost no contest and voters are not showing much interest.

Two-thirds of the seats will go to the ruling Baath Party and its allies, and even state-controlled newspapers have deplored the lack of enthusiasm.

Dissidents are still in jail, a sign of little change in Syria since Bashar Assad came to power seven years ago.

The government has described the election as a showcase for Syrian democracy and has urged people to turn out to vote.