STORY: Parliamentary elections start in Syria
SHOOTING TIME: July 15, 2024
DATELINE: July 15, 2024
LOCATION: Damascus
LENGTH: 00:02:32
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Syrian parliament
2. various of the polling center
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): NASREEN AHMED, Resident of Damascus
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): NARIMAN SHANLI, Resident of Damascus
5. various of the polling center

STORYLINE:

The Supreme Judicial Committee for Elections on Monday announced the start of voting for the fourth legislative term of the People's Assembly.
   
In total, 8,151 polling centers across government-controlled areas opened their doors to voters at 7:00 a.m. local time (0400 GMT), and will remain open until 7:00 p.m. (1600 GMT).
   
The one-day election sees 1,516 candidates vying for 250 seats in the People's Assembly. Every citizen aged 18 and above can participate in the electoral process.

As Syrians cast their votes in the Parliament elections, they are expecting the new parliamentarians to bring much-needed solutions to the country's ongoing challenges.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): NASREEN AHMED, Resident of Damascus
"We hope the best for our country because we have endured and suffered a lot. What we have suffered is something nobody can bear. Indeed, every candidate who nominates themselves from any faction must be up to the responsibility and prove their worthiness because they are part of people and have felt the same sorrow as we have. They must be honest and achieve what we strive all the time."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): NARIMAN SHANLI, Resident of Damascus
"Given the crisis we are going through, I feel what we are doing is very good because we need to develop our country and do new things. We hope that the situation will improve and become better. I hope the list I voted for will improve something in the country and find solutions for the situation we are going through."

The Supreme Judicial Committee will promptly announce the final results upon the completion of the vote counting.
   
The Syrian parliamentary elections, also known as the People's Assembly elections, are held every four years.
   
The People's Assembly is Syria's legislative authority, composed of 250 members elected through a mixed electoral system.
   
The candidates are generally affiliated with various political parties, with the majority representing the ruling Ba'ath Party and its allies.
   
Historically, these elections have been marked by the dominance of the Ba'ath Party, which has held power in Syria since 1963. 

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Damascus.
(XHTV)