Syrian refugees vote for camp leaders in elections touted as practice in democracy

Published January 13, 2015

Thousands of Syrians in a refugee camp in Turkey are voting to select camp leaders and administrators in elections that the Turkish government has called practice in democracy for Syria.

Some 6,500 refugees at the Oncupinar camp in Turkey's border province of Kilis are voting in the elections Thursday.

The camp, which houses some 13,500 people, is the most populous out of a total of 14 camps refugee camps in Turkey and the only one consisting of container homes rather than tents.

Turkish officials say the elections, which may be held at the other camps at a later date, are an exercise in democracy for Syrians.

Syrians last voted in parliamentary elections in May. They were boycotted by opponents who called them a sham.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/world/syrian-refugees-vote-for-camp-leaders-in-elections-touted-as-practice-in-democracy