Syrian constitutional referendum, 2012

Background

The new constitution would set a limit of two seven-year terms for future presidents and also removed Article 8 of the constitution of Syria, which states that "the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party leads the state and society."

Political parties

The text removes the Baath party monopoly over the political life in Syria. The constitution also states that political parties cannot be founded on ethnic, religious, regional and tribal basis. Any planned political party must get the government's permission and approval before it is to be formed.

Presidency

The presidential election will be held every seven years. It is intended to be contested by several candidates contrary to the current form of the election with a single candidate being approved or rejected.

The conditions required to be candidate at the presidential election are the following:

1. A candidate must be Muslim
2. A candidate must have the support of 35 members of the parliament
3. A candidate must be 40 years old or more
4. A candidate must have lived in Syria for 10 years before the election
5. A candidate must be Syrian by birth, of parents who are Syrians by birth
6. A candidate must not be married to a non-Syrian spouse

Economy

Syria will no longer be a planned socialist economy but will focus on the principle of developing public and private economy in order to boost the national income and to develop the production to create jobs and raise the standard of living. The constitution states that development is the goal of all economics of policy and that consumers and producers are protected. Private property is protected and can only be confiscated for necessities of war and disasters and only for a fair compensation.

Religion and culture

The constitution says that the state respects and protects all religions and adds that the Islamic jurisprudence is a major source of inspiration, like in the current constitution. The constitution draft states that the scientific research is supported by the state and the freedom of scientific research, artistic creation, literature and cultural creativity are protected.

Rights and freedom

The constitution draft forbids any discrimination on the grounds of sex, origin, religion or language. National unity, integrity and military service are considered a "sacred duty" while freedom is considered a sacred right.

Campaign

In the weeks leading up to the referendum, public television hosted discussions about the new constitution and informed citizens how to vote.

The main foreign-based opposition group, the SNC, is opposed to the proposed constitution and called for a boycott. The Syrian opposition in exile described the new constitution as fraudulent and the referendum as a farce. It pointed out that the Syrian government had never respected the old constitution, which enshrines freedom of speech and peaceful demonstrations and bans torture.

Conduct

Due to the ongoing fighting in Syria, questions were raised over the organization of the vote as in the cities of Homs, Hama, Daraa and in the northern province of Idlib, there are quarters held by the rebellion and electors in theses areas were not able to take part in the referendum.

14.6 million Syrians were eligible to vote, in 14,185 polling stations which were open from 7:00-19:00. Multiple polling stations were set up in each district and neighborhood of central Damascus.

At midday, the interior ministry announced that the referendum was going smoothly in most of the provinces. The interior minister, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ibrahim al-Shaar, announced that the turnout was "high except in some areas despite threats and intimidation from armed groups." He called the participation in central Damascus "remarkable."

Canadian-based Global News reported that the turnout was high in pro-Assad neighbourhoods or areas with a high security presence, but made note that areas which have held anti-government protests had a very low turnout. They also suggested that though a portion of the voters were opposed to the government, there was also a belief that the referendum would be "a step in the right direction." It also suggested that in pro-government neighbourhood there was pressure to vote and pressure to boycott the vote in anti-government neighbourhoods.

President Bashar al-Assad voted with his wife Asma at a voting centre located at the headquarters of the national television where he was cheered by their employees. A crowd of Assad supporters in Damascus showed their support for the referendum.

Results

With a voter turnout of 57.4% and 89.4% voting in favour, the new constitution was adopted. President Al-Assad signed the new constitution into force on 27 February 2012.

International reactions

Russia - A Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement welcomed the referendum outcome, saying that the referendum had shown popular support of the government’s reform programme and denied legitimacy to the Syrian opposition, which tried but failed to persuade the people to boycott the vote. Russia also urged the Syrian sides to renounce violence and enter into a dialogue without preconditions.