DAMASCUS, Syria, April 22, SPA -- Syrians across the country began Sunday voting for a new parliament. The campaign slogans posted on buildings, trees and buses across the capital promise reform, transparency and prosperity. Turnout is expected to be low, a tradition in Syria, where parliament has no major say in policy-making. Voting will continue Monday, and results are not expected before Wednesday. The ruling Baath Party and the National Progressive Front _ a cluster of nine small parties allied with it _ areassured of certain victory, regardless of the turnout inthe election, since Syria's constitution reservestwo-thirds of legislature for candidates from the rulingcoalition. The remaining seats will be filled by candidates runningindependently, but their candidacy must be preapproved by the government. In a speech broadcast by Syrian Television Saturday night, Interior Minister Bassam Abdel-Majid urged people to «exercise their electoral right» by choosing the most qualified candidates. Some 2,500 candidates are running for seats in the250-seat National Assembly in this country of 18.6 millionpeople. Authorities have said that around 7 millioncitizens hold election cards.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/443210