| Damascus, Feb 26 (Prensa Latina) Despite reservations or criticisms about some issues proposed in the referendum, there has been a mass turnout in the voting to decide the fate of a new Constitution, with changes in the country's political, social and economic life. That could be witnessed by Prensa Latina on a tour of several polling stations in the Christian Bab Touma neighborhood and around the main Saba Bahrat Square, or near the majestic Omeya Square. Youth and mass organizations have organized a demonstration at Omeya Square, where people of all ages gather carrying Syrian flags and banners with photos of President Bashar al-Assad to express the support of most of the people to the process of comprehensive reforms and national unity. Cars and other vehicles loaded with people, mainly youngsters, go over Mezzeh Avenue and other main roads of the capital honking the horns and letting Syrian flags fly out of the windows. Mishleen, a student of the Damascus University, was heading for Omeya Square to join the gathering. She told Prensa Latina that though the constitutional proposal is nor perfect and some people criticize some of its articles, mainly the third one, it is a proposal that projects a new vision for Syria. She highlighted the fact that the draft Constitution guarantees women's rights and emancipation in an egalitarian society in which they can be able to be involved without discrimination in its political, social and economic life, something that is really significant in countries of the Arab world. The new Constitution is the cornerstone of the package of comprehensive reforms promoted by President al-Assad, as it will legitimate other new issues like the creation of parties (seven were already authorized), the separation of State powers, the holding of elections and the de-centralization of local administration, among other stipulations. Article III has sparked criticism because it stipulates that presidential candidates are required to be Muslims in a country also inhabited by Christians and Druses, and even Islam followers have expressed their rejection of that proposal considered undemocratic. At least 14 million of the nearly 23 million Syrians are eligible to vote, and in order to facilitate their participation, the Ministry of Interior installed 14,185 polling stations countrywide, even in areas hit by armed, terrorist violence. It also organized mobile or traveling ballot boxes to tour areas in the Syria's desert, so that members of nomadic communities in remote areas are able to cast their vote in this referendum, the results of which are scheduled to be made public on Monday, Feb. 27. Syrian TV channels like Syria News or Addounia are showing people voting in other cities like Aleppo, tartous, Hama, Daraa, Lattakia and even in conflict-torn Homs to decide the fate of a Constitution seen by many as a door leading to the solution of problems affecting this country. rma/lac/mh |