In the midst of a bloody and protracted civil war, Syrians went to the polls Tuesday to vote for a new president. The problem is that the winner already has been determined.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been in power for 14 years, having taken over when his father, Hafez al-Assad, died after ruling with an iron fist for 29 years.
Analysts say the vote is to meant to send a message to Assad's opponents that his power remains intact. Syria's three-year conflict shows little sign of abating with over 150,000 people killed, and 9.5 million internally displaced or becoming refugees.
United Nations Chief Ban Ki-moon urged the Syrian government not to hold the elections, joining those who believe that under the current atmosphere a fair and free vote is impossible.
Voting will only happen in areas controlled by the Assad regime. The millions of Syrians in the rebel-held north and "unofficial refugees," such as those in Turkey, will not be able to vote.
Assad's two so-called opponents, businessman Hassan al-Nouri (left) and former minister Maher Hajjar, are really no more than window dressing. One of them even told Syrians to vote for Assad.
Nouri spent the day before the vote explaining why Syrians should reelect Assad: "My chances [of winning] are not as good as President Assad, of course," he told the Telegraph. "The people in Syria are calling for stability and security, and to fight terrorism. They want military leadership and President Assad is doing well in this."