The Syrian election body has announced a turnout of over 57 percent in the parliamentary elections held in government-controlled areas.

The polls were held Wednesday, with some 3,500 candidates vying for the 250 seats.  They do not have real power in Syria's political system. The government said the vote was held to comply with the constitution. 

The opposition says the election is meaningless. Britain and France called it a "flimsy façade" and a "sham". The last parliamentary elections were held in 2012, just months after the adoption of a new constitution.  The opposition declared a boycott both times.