Dubai: Syrians voted on Sunday on a new constitution while their countrymen were killed in Homs and Hama by security forces.
If the constitution is approved in the vote, a foregone conclusion, it would drop an article making Syrian President Bashar Al Assad's Baath Party the leader of state and society, allow political pluralism and enact a presidential limit of two seven-year terms.
But the limit will not be enforced retrospectively, which means that Al Assad, already in power for 11 years, could serve another two terms after his current one expires in 2014.
This is Syria's third referendum since Al Assad inherited power from his father Hafez Al Assad. The first installed him as president in 2000 with an official 97.29 per cent ‘Yes' vote and the second renewed his term seven years later with 97.62 per cent in favour.
Opponents see the polls as a sick joke given Syria's turmoil.
"What should we be voting for, whether to die by bombardment or by bullets? This is the only choice we have," said Waleed Fares, an activist in the Khalidiyah district of Homs.
In footage uploaded on YouTube Syrians across the country held a mock vote placing their ballots in a box and setting them on fire.
Prime Minister Adel Safar said that an opposition boycott of polls proved a lack of interest in dialogue.
"There are some groups that have a western and foreign agenda and do not want reforms in Syria and want to divert Syria's steadfastness," he told reporters in Damascus.
"We are not concerned with this. We care about ... spreading democracy and freedom in the country," Safar said.
In the capital, Al Assad's main stronghold, voters cast their ballots.
"I've come to vote for President Bashar, God protect him and give him victory over his enemies," said Samah Turkmani, in his 50s.
Harrowing conditions
Another voter, Majid Elias, said: "This is a national duty, whether I agree or not, I have to come and vote."
At least 31 Syrian civilians and soldiers were killed yesterday. The military onslaught on parts of Homs has created harrowing conditions for civilians, rebels and journalists.
A video posted by activists on YouTube showed Mohammad Al Mohammad, a doctor at a makeshift clinic in Baba Amr, holding a 15-year-old boy hit in the neck by shrapnel and spitting blood.
"It is late at night and Baba Amr is still being bombarded. We can do nothing for this boy," said the doctor, who has also been treating western journalists wounded in the city.
Clinton's call
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on the Syrian military and business community to end their support for President Bashar Al Assad.
Addressing the military, Clinton said that they stained their honour by taking part in assaults on Syrian cities.
"If you refuse to prop up the regime or take part in attacks on your fellow citizens, your countrymen and women will hail you as heroes," Clinton said at a press conference in Rabat, Morocco.
"[Al] Assad would have you believe that it's only terrorists and extremists standing against the regime, but that is wrong," Clinton said.
