For a country readying to take its first historic step towards democracy, there are little signs of it in Syria. Activists say hundreds of people have died in the four-week long violence that has continued in Homs. Across the country, at least 72 people were killed in the conflict on Saturday, 24 of them in Homs, opposition groups said.
Meanwhile, a limited coverage of the events rules the state-controlled television. there are no posters, no campaigns or rallies. The government has gone to the extent of warning people to be "prepared for the worst" as they head to polling booths.
The referendum could undoubtedly be a turning point for Syria. The draft constitution allows for ending the Baath party's five decade-long monopoly of power in favour of multiple parties. The president will be directly elected and a Supreme Constitution Court will oversee free and fair elections.
However, critics are not impressed. They claim the draft Constitution gives two terms of 7 years each to the president, which means that Assad, with 12 years of being at the helm of affairs, could well carry on for 14 years more. Additionally, they claim that the new Constitution does not guarantee judicial independence. It lays down that Islamic law will guide "all jurisprudence".
Activists leading the revolt against four decades of Assad family rule have called for a boycott of the referendum. In Damascus and suburbs where troops drove out insurgents last month, activists say they will try to hold protests near polling centres and burn copies of the new Constitution.
Whichever way the referendum goes, Syria and Syrians face the severest challenge yet, that of more sanctions, regional boycotts and increasing economic isolation. They may find succour only among themselves or in the memories of heroes of the past to emerge undivided with their integrity intact.
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