Syrians vote in wartime election set to extend Assad's rule
Officials predict a big turnout and say that a high level of participation will be as significant as the result itself
People cast their vote at a polling station in Damascus
People cast their vote at a polling station in Damascus June 3, 2014. Syrians voted on Tuesday in an election expected to deliver an overwhelming victory to President Bashar al-Assad in the midst of a civil war that has fractured the country and killed more than 160,000 people. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki (SYRIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS ELECTIONS)
People cast their vote at a polling station in Damascus
People cast their vote at a polling station in Damascus June 3, 2014. Syrians voted on Tuesday in an election expected to deliver an overwhelming victory to President Bashar al-Assad in the midst of a civil war that has fractured the country and killed more than 160,000 people. REUTERS/ Omar Sanadiki (SYRIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST ELECTIONS POLITICS)
Supporters of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad wave the national flags and chant slogans in front of General Federation of Trade Unions building, during presidential election in Damascus
Supporters of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad wave the national flags and chant slogans in front of General Federation of Trade Unions building, during presidential election in Damascus June 3, 2014. Syrians began voting on Tuesday in an election expected to deliver an overwhelming victory to President Bashar al-Assad in the midst of a civil war that has fractured the country and killed more than 160,000 people. REUTERS/ Omar Sanadiki (SYRIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS ELECTIONS)
Supporters of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad wave the national flags and chant slogans in front of General Federation of Trade Unions building, during presidential election in Damascus
Supporters of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad wave the national flags and chant slogans in front of General Federation of Trade Unions building, during presidential election in Damascus June 3, 2014. Syrians began voting on Tuesday in an election expected to deliver an overwhelming victory to President Bashar al-Assad in the midst of a civil war that has fractured the country and killed more than 160,000 people. REUTERS/ Omar Sanadiki (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST ELECTIONS)
Supporters of Syria's President Assad wave country's national flags and chant slogans in front of the General Federation of Trade Unions building, during the presidential election in Damascus
Supporters of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad wave the country's national flags and chant slogans in front of the General Federation of Trade Unions building, during the presidential election in Damascus June 3, 2014. Syrians began voting on Tuesday in an election expected to deliver an overwhelming victory to President Bashar al-Assad in the midst of a civil war that has fractured the country and killed more than 160,000 people. REUTERS/ Omar Sanadiki (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST ELECTIONS CONFLICT)
Men cast their votes at Dama Rose hotel during the presidential election in Damascus
Men cast their votes at Dama Rose hotel during the presidential election in Damascus, June 3, 2014. Syrians began voting on Tuesday in an election expected to deliver an overwhelming victory to President Bashar al-Assad in the midst of a civil war that has fractured the country and killed more than 160,000 people. REUTERS/ Omar Sanadiki (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST ELECTIONS CONFLICT) ELECTION
Woman casts her vote at Dama Rose hotel during the presidential election in Damascus
A woman casts her vote at Dama Rose hotel during the presidential election in Damascus, June 3, 2014. Syrians began voting on Tuesday in an election expected to deliver an overwhelming victory to President Bashar al-Assad in the midst of a civil war that has fractured the country and killed more than 160,000 people. REUTERS/ Omar Sanadiki (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST ELECTIONS CONFLICT) ELECTION
Man casts his vote as others wait for their turn at the Dama Rose hotel during the presidential election in Damascus
A man casts his vote as others wait for their turn at the Dama Rose hotel during the presidential election in Damascus, June 3, 2014. Syrians began voting on Tuesday in an election expected to deliver an overwhelming victory to President Bashar al-Assad in the midst of a civil war that has fractured the country and killed more than 160,000 people. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST ELECTIONS CONFLICT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Man casts his vote at Dama Rose hotel during the presidential election in Damascus
A man casts his vote at Dama Rose hotel during the presidential election in Damascus, June 3, 2014. Syrians began voting on Tuesday in an election expected to deliver an overwhelming victory to President Bashar al-Assad in the midst of a civil war that has fractured the country and killed more than 160,000 people. REUTERS/ Omar Sanadiki (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST ELECTIONS CONFLICT) ELECTION