The polling stations for the election of a new 250-member parliament in Syria opened today at 7a.m. (local time) and around 3.500 government-approved candidates are competing after more than 7.000 others dropped out.

Under normal circumstances, parliamentary elections in Syria are held every four years. Damascus tried to separate them from the peace talks in Geneva, but is however expected to use their results as an argument supporting Bashar al-Assad’s power.

Both the opposition and western leaders have criticized the process as a provocation that undermines the peace talks, since the Assad will be controlling the newly elected parliament, in spite of his position in the aftermath of the conflict.

In the mid-time, fierce fighting during the past days once again threatens the fragile cease-fire engineered by the U.S. and Russia. Yesterday, France and Iran voiced concern over an upsurge in fighting between Syrian government forces and rebels near Aleppo.

According to Reuters, a senior official close to the Syrian government, giving his personal assessment, said the truce had effectively collapsed: “on the ground the truce does not exist. The level of tension in Syria will increase in the coming months”.

Earlier today, Turkey as well shelled targets in Syria after rockets hit border town Kilis.

Meanwhile, Syrian Kurds and their allies continue to plan an autonomous political federation in northern Syria, pressing ahead despite the objections of foreign governments which fear Syria's disintegration.

Voting stations have been set up in 12 of Syria’s 14 provinces. The northern province of Raqqa is controlled by Islamic State group, and the northwestern province of Idlib is controlled by its rival, the AL-Qaida-affiliated Nusra Front, as well as other insurgent factions. The government has no presence in either province.

Polls close at 7 p.m. (local time), but could stay open longer if turnout is high. The results are expected Thursday.