In 2007, Assad won the Presidential “Election” by a whopping 99.82% of the popular vote. Let me explain how that happened, as I played a small role in it. In that year, he ran unopposed and it was impossible under the Constitution to contest anyone other than him in #Syria. 1/
Elections in #Syria at that time and prior to them were litmus tests of people’s allegiance to the Regime. Failure to vote was looked at suspiciously, and you could be questioned for it. At the same time, voting booths were monitored for dissenters/opposition who dared vote no.
I woke up the morning of the election determined to vote “no” not because I hated Assad, I was indifferent then - but that he was not running against any candidate. The ballot had two comical choices, one was much larger than the other in case you couldn’t take a hint. #Syria 3/
The two choices were, roughly translated “Yes, I endorse him” and “Yes, I don’t endorse him.” Oddly the choices both started with the word Yes. The wrong choice was marked clearly, take a hint... I entered the voting booth my voting card. #Syria 4/
As expected, the voting place had all sorts of shady characters with dodgy eyes. I was handed a ballot and then advised casually to fill it out right then and there. I froze, the plan to vote “yes, I don’t endorse him” went out the window and I voted for Assad. #Syria 5/
On the way to visit my cousins at their shop, I passed by another polling place and I was pulled aside by another mukhabarat character. “Did you vote?!” He asked. I told him yes, I did. “Come here, vote again.” He said. So I dutifully did. My 2nd vote for Assad.. #Syria 6/
So if you think the 2012 and 2014 elections were “legitimate” and reflect the “free will” of the people, you don’t know #Syria and you don’t understand the fear and intimidation we face and feel, then and now. The desire for self-preservation trumps desire for self-determination.
