Low Numbers of Tunisians Vote on a New Constitution

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Early results show a new Tunisian constitution that expands presidential powers has passed, but with very low voter turnout.

It is estimated that less than one third of voters completed ballots² in the referendum.

President Kais Saied dismissed parliament last year. Since then, he has governed with expanded powers gained through his own orders. Saied offered the new constitution last month.

Opposition³ parties boycotted⁴ the referendum. They said the new laws destroy democracy in Tunisia which was put in place after the 2011 uprising known as the Arab Spring. Tunisia is the only country to have established a democracy as a result of the uprising.

However, Tunisia now faces an economic crisis with the public mainly concerned about financial issues. The country is seeking a $4 billion load from the International Monetary⁵ Fund, or IMF, to rescue the economy. But workers groups opposed reforms required by the IMF including the removal of price supports for food and fuel.

An opinion study by French financial company Sigma Conseil found that 92 percent of people who voted in the referendum supported the new constitution. An early report from the electoral commission said that, of those who could legally vote, only 28 percent did so.

Voter turnout is believed to have been the lowest since 2011. Official numbers for the referendum will be closely watched.

Early results are expected Wednesday with the final result being announced on August 28.

Tunisia's new constitution gives the president additional power over the government and courts. It has been described as giving the president full executive powers.

The opposition says the president's moves last year represent a seizure⁶ of power and rejected the referendum as illegal.

Western democracies have looked to Tunisia as the only success story of the Arab Spring, a pro-democracy movement that swept the Middle East in 2011. Over the past year, they have urged the country to return to the democratic path.

President Saied completed his ballot¹ Monday and said the referendum provided the start of a new republic.

But critics warn that the new constitution could lead to the one-party rule that existed under former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Samia is a married woman in Tunis with a teenage son. She did not want to vote. "I'm frustrated⁷ by all of them," she said.

But voter Yahia Arafet said: "This was an important day. I hope all Tunisians vote to raise the country's level and improve it."

Words in This Story

turnout –n. the number of people who go to or take part in something such as a vote or an event

executive –adj. responsible for making sure laws are carried out and for managing the affairs of a nation or state

referendum –n. an event in which the people of an area vote for or against a law that deals with a specific issue

frustrated –adj. angry, discouraged or upset because of being unable to do or complete something

1 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。

2 ballots   

n.投票表决( ballot的名词复数 )；选举；选票；投票总数v.（使）投票表决( ballot的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• They're counting the ballots. 他们正在计算选票。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The news of rigged ballots has rubbed off much of the shine of their election victory. 他们操纵选票的消息使他们在选举中获得的胜利大为减色。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

4 boycotted   

抵制，拒绝参加( boycott的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Athletes from several countries boycotted the Olympic Games. 有好几国的运动员抵制奥林匹克运动会。
• The opposition party earlier boycotted the Diet agenda, demanding Miyaji's resignation. 反对党曾杯葛国会议程，要宫路下台。

5 monetary   

adj.货币的，钱的；通货的；金融的；财政的

参考例句：

• The monetary system of some countries used to be based on gold.过去有些国家的货币制度是金本位制的。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。

6 seizure   

n.没收；占有；抵押

参考例句：

• The seizure of contraband is made by customs.那些走私品是被海关没收的。
• The courts ordered the seizure of all her property.法院下令查封她所有的财产。

7 frustrated   

adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧

参考例句：

• It's very easy to get frustrated in this job. 这个工作很容易令人懊恼。
• The bad weather frustrated all our hopes of going out. 恶劣的天气破坏了我们出行的愿望。 来自《简明英汉词典》