Syria vote called a 'farce' by West

The referendum on the new constitution allows at least in theory for opening the country's political system. It would create a multiparty system in Syria, which has been ruled by the Baath party since it took power a coup in 1963. Assad's father, Hafez, took power in another coup in 1970.

Such change was unthinkable a year ago. It also imposes limit of two seven-year terms on the president. But since Assad's security forces have killed thousands in their effort to end the uprising, most opposition groups say they'll accept nothing short of his ouster.

In the capital Damascus, a regime stronghold where many in the business class and religious minorities support Assad, the Information Ministry took foreign reporters to visit polling stations. Many said they were eager to vote.

"This is a good constitution. It calls for party pluralism and the president can only hold the post for two terms. These did not exist in the past," said civil servant Mohammed Diab, 40, who waited with four others to vote in the posh Abu Rummaneh neighborhood.

Jaafar Naami, 28, who works for a private insurance company, said: "I am here to say yes for the new constitution. This is not the time to say no. People should unite."

The state news agency SANA said Assad and his wife, Asma, voted at the capital's state broadcasting headquarters.

Fewer voters turned out in the areas of Rukneddine and Barzeh, where anti-government protesters have recently demonstrated.

In Barzeh, about 20 percent of shops were closed, apparently in compliance with the calls for a strike. Turnout was very low at a polling station in the area, with individuals trickling in to vote every few minutes.

One man said he had come to vote at a center away from the district's center, where he said there was "pressure not to vote ... intimidation and calls for public disobedience." He did not give his name for fear of reprisal.

In Rukneddine, turnout in the morning was low, but picked up in the afternoon. Still, people cast ballots as they arrived with no need to stand in line.

A Syrian-American voter who only gave her first name, Diana, said after voting yes: "My friends attacked me for voting. They said, 'Don't you see people are dying?' But for me, voting is my right. The president is on the right track. When someone hits you, you have to hit back." She added: "Syria is under attack."

Another woman refused to talk to the AP because it is an American agency. She attacked Obama over his call Friday for Assad's regime to "move on."

"Tell Obama I hope he dies, like he is killing Syrian people," she said.

One woman emerged from the station and said she voted "no" without elaborating, and walked away quickly.

Posters around the capital Damascus urged people to cast ballots. "Don't turn your back on voting," one said.

Another — showing the red, black, and white Syrian flag — touted the new constitution. "Syria's constitution: Freedom of belief," it said, referring to clauses protecting religious minorities.

Turnout is expected to be minimal in opposition strongholds such as Homs, the northwestern province Idlib and the southern region of Daraa where armed rebels frequently clash with security forces.

* Mroue reported from Beirut.

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