The reality of Referendum Day in Syria is that more people are dying at the hands of the government's security forces as they continue to attack towns across the country.
As President Bashar al Assad and his wife voted in Damascus in a referendum about changes to the constitution, up to nine civilians and four soldiers were killed in clashes between regime forces and rebels in Homs.
Anti-government protesters say in Homs and Dara to the south the military are once again shelling, and the casualty count is rising by the hour.
Bashar al Assad votes in the referendum as wife Asma looks on
The latest eyewitness pictures show tanks and army checkpoints firing at unidentifiable targets, and the sounds of explosions and gunfire rattle around the streets of towns that in many cases, are little more than ruins.
Houses are being shelled and people inside say they have no electricity or food, and the government's soldiers are now targeting water tanks on the roofs of residential apartments to destroy whatever supplies they have left.
Meanwhile the Red Cross says they still have not had an answer from Syrian authorities on their request for a truce so they can bring medical aid to the wounded and the dying trapped in the city.
It's one-sided. But this is also a civil war.
The Free Syrian Army (FSA) may be outgunned and outmanned, but they are attacking tanks and gun positions from buildings, firing off a few RPG rounds before scurrying away through back alleys as the military opens up on their positions among the ruins.
Government supporters have been turning out and voting in some areas.
They are supporting constitutional reform that promises presidential term limits, new parties and an end to the Baath party's right to run the country.
But those who oppose the government are calling for an all-out boycott.
They, like much of the international community, want Bashar al Assad to go.
They see no point in taking part in a process that does not include his departure.
But the fact is they could not vote in Homs, Idlib, Hama and Dara even if they wanted to.
Homs is being destroyed by the relentless shelling
It is simply far too dangerous and there would not be anywhere to vote anyway.
In some parts of the capital Damascus they have attempted to stage anti-referendum protests - burning tyres and chanting anti-government slogans in districts that have been constantly cleared out by the regime's security people over the past weeks.
They won't last long. These areas are awash with government men.
People are still calling for international assistance. But if it is coming, it is taking a very, very long time.
So far there is little appetite for intervention and in these circumstances, President Assad has the room to finish the job as best he can.
The Syrian government says its referendum is about bringing change to the country.
But their concept of change means a Syria where the voices of dissent have been silenced for good - wiped out. Hardly a fledgling democracy in the making.
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