A Syrian girl shows her ballot at a polling station in Damascus, capital of Syria, Feb. 26, 2012. Syrians go to the polls on Sunday for a referendum on a new draft constitution, as Damascus struggles under mounting international pressure to carry out reforms and end the country's turmoils. (Xinhua/hazim)

The official SANA news agency said the turnout at polling stations was heavy "a matter which reflect the Syrians' keenness to proceed with the reforms program," adding that the draft constitution is one of the "most prominent achievements" of the process of reforms.

Meanwhile, aL-Baath newspaper ran a headlines saying: "Voting on the new draft constitution and an active participation is the road to mark out Syria's future."

Casting her vote, Fadia Mahmoud, said "no one should boycott the vote because the new constitution would help Syria to move forward... and I call on all Syrians to vote."

For his side, Ali Qassm, chief editor at al-Thawra newspaper, said "the preliminary data shows high voting rates among the Syrians, especially that they have been waiting for it, because it will unleash the train of political reform."

Hind Baddour, another voter, said "I have participated in the referendum and voted a yes for the constitution... and another yes for the new Syria."

Back on the draft constitution, some articles of the new constitution have raised concern and reservations of some Syrians, especially article number three stating that the religion of the president is Islam and the Islamic jurisdiction is the basic source for legislation.

Mazhar al-Anbary, chairman of the committee that was entrusted to write the draft constitution, said recently that 14 articles have been added to the new draft constitution, 37 articles were amended and 34 reformulated.

He said 35 articles remained as they were, adding that committee was keen to enlist objective conditions over the qualifications of any candidate for the post of presidency.