Northern Syria polls open in local elections

Voting is underway in polling stations across Northern Syria in local elections.

Polls opened at 08:00 local time and voting process began for town, district and canton councils.

Security is tight across the region. Asayish forces banned all trucks, lorries and motorbikes from traffic until tomorrow.

Polling stations are open until 20:00. The High Election Commission will determine if there is a need to extend the voting hours during the day.

Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Gorran (Change) Movement sent delegations to observe the elections.

On September 22, people of Northern Syria elected co-chairs for communes. After electing local councils, an election will be held for People’s Council (Kongra Gel) in January 2018.