Syria holds first elections since Assad, but not in all provinces

The Syrian government is holding its first presidential election since the start of the civil war in 2011. However, three provinces will not be participating in the vote due to "security reasons." This raises concerns about the election's representativeness, as these areas have been heavily affected by the conflict. The current president, Bashar al-Assad, is widely expected to win the election, as the opposition and rebel groups have been sidelined or have boycotted the process. The international community has criticized the election, calling it a "farce" and a "parody of democracy." Despite these concerns, the Syrian government has insisted that the election is a necessary step towards political stability and national reconciliation. However, the exclusion of certain provinces and the lack of a meaningful opposition have cast doubt on the election's legitimacy and its ability to address the country's ongoing political and humanitarian crises.