2006年VOA标准英语-Concern Over Potential Fraud Raised Ahead

By Joe Bavier
Cotonou
03 March 2006

The last day of campaigning for Benin's presidential election opened Friday with concerns over whether the vote will live up to democratic hopes.  Some fear for the country's reputation as a democratic leader in the region.

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About 100 people march through the streets of Cotonou on their way to the office of the minister of the interior.

They are marching for peace, and they are calling upon the authorities of Benin to ensure that Sunday's first round presidential vote takes place without violence. But, their march is also a protest.
 
Since making history 16 years ago by becoming the first sub-Saharan African nation to make a peaceful transition from military rule to multi-party democracy, Benin has been widely viewed as a regional success story.
 
But in the run up to this year's election allegations of attempted fraud and irregularities in voter registration¹ have grabbed headlines in the local press.
 
A Cotonou newspaper reported this week on the attempted theft of ballot² boxes by an election worker, an incident confirmed by poll officials.
 
More than a million blank voter cards have not been returned to the national elections commission, raising fears that some people could use them to vote multiple times. And with voter lists yet to be distributed, some fear such fraud could go undetected.
 
Interior minister Mama Sika blames the electoral commission, known by its French acronym³ CENA.
 
"Myself, I sent my director to go to the CENA and ask [for] the list of electors," he said.  "Since today, I have no list. It is a problem. I think the candidates have to ask where is the list."

Election officials say voting should go ahead without any problems.

In his shop in bustling⁴ central Cotonou, tailor Adelakoun Ayekoumi says, with Benin's economy struggling, the stakes in this year's election are very high. He has already been forced to work abroad to support his family. And he says, the people of Benin must be allowed to vote for real change.

We want a transparent⁵ election, he says, that will allow us to elect a president that can bring business to the country. If things do not work out this year, he says, I'm leaving the country.

1 registration   

n.登记，注册，挂号

参考例句：

• Marriage without registration is not recognized by law.法律不承认未登记的婚姻。
• What's your registration number?你挂的是几号？

2 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。

3 acronym   

n.首字母简略词，简称

参考例句：

• That's a mouthful of an acronym for a very simple technology.对于一项非常简单的技术来说，这是一个很绕口的缩写词。
• TSDF is an acronym for Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities.TSDF是处理，储存和处置设施的一个缩写。

4 bustling   

adj.喧闹的

参考例句：

• The market was bustling with life. 市场上生机勃勃。
• This district is getting more and more prosperous and bustling. 这一带越来越繁华了。

5 transparent   

adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的

参考例句：

• The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
• The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。