Syria's Assad Applies to Run for Presidential Elections in May

On Wednesday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad applied to run for the presidential elections slated for May, according to the state news agency SANA.

"Parliament was informed by the high constitutional court that Bashar Hafez al-Assad has filed a request" to run in the upcoming poll, Hamoudeh al-Sabbagh, the Syrian parliament speaker said.

He added that so far, six people, including a woman, have applied to take part in the presidential race, and more people are expected to apply in the coming days.

The election campaign starts on April 19 for 10 days.

The election day for the Syrians abroad is set on May 20, while for the Syrians interiorly, it will be held on May 26.

The previous presidential election was held in 2014 and saw two candidates run against Assad after a constitutional amendment allowing for a multi-candidate ballot.

Only two other candidates were approved by the Assad-appointed constitutional court and the incumbent won with 88 percent of the vote.