President Assad tops 97 percent in Syria vote

[AngryAmish]

Source: AFP

DAMASCUS (AFP) - Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has won a second seven-year mandate after netting 97 percent of the vote in a referendum boycotted by the opposition, officials announced on Tuesday.

Interior Minister Bassam Abdel Majid said Assad, 41, won a massive 97.62 percent in Sunday's referendum, with some 11.19 million Syrians taking part, or almost 96 percent of those eligible.

In a referendum in which Assad, who has resisted Western pressure to reform Syria, was the sole candidate, "no" voters numbered almost 20,000 and some 250,000 ballots were void, he said.

Jordan's King Abdullah II swiftly telephoned after the official results to congratulate Assad, the kingdom's Petra news agency reported.



Read more: <http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070529/wl_mideast_afp/syriavote_070529132056>

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This is how democracy works. I am glad the Syrian people have given such a mandate.

[SteppingRazor]

1. Yeah, great to see democracy in action...

I wonder if the 20,000 "nay" voters were summarily executed afterward? Cause, you know, that'd at least be some immediate action taken by the government. It'd be great to see that sort of can-do attitude over here! :P

[Endangered Specie]

3. If not shot, then probably 're-educated'

[tabasco]

2. Heard anything about the Saudi elections?

That's a place that could use some democracy.

[porque no]

4. So many DUers screaming about "Chavez the Dictator" ..............

crickets.

[rmgarrette64]

6. Well, there's debate over Chavez

There are, after all, some people who don't think he's a dictator (I'm not one of them.) But it's the disagreement that makes for vocal conversations. On the other hand, who is really surprised at yet more confirmation about Assad.

What? Syria's leader's a dictator? You don't say... There's just nothing to disagree about.

R. Garrett

[Stella_Artois]

12. The connection is ?

There can be only one dictator in the world at a time ?

[Posteritatis]

5. "This is how democracy works?" Please tell me you're kidding. (nt)

[ohio2007]

7. The only vote that counts was taken at the UN today

Assad got zero votes in the UN
Chapter 7
http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKN3044572920070530
Assad worries it will be the first step toward internationally-sanctioned regime-change in Damascus.

[Big Pappa]

8. What?

"This is how democracy works"

[Jack Rabbit]

9. Not even Bush is that brazen

!!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

11. 49% was big, brazen balls*.

51% was even bigger.


























*I know.

[harun]

10. When are they going to learn......

It is better to get 60-40 or something half way legit. Anything over 90% in any election just makes you look ridiculous internationally.