2006年VOA标准英语-Mayors Begin Campaigns in Burkina Faso

By Franz Wild
Abidjan
03 April 2006

Campaigning has officially started for local elections in Burkina Faso. With no change in national leadership for nearly 20 years, mayors have become increasingly relevant in local development issues.

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On April 23, Burkinabes will go to the polls to choose who will lead their local districts.

A spokesman for the national election commission, Arsene Kabore says these elections will make a difference for people locally.

"These elections are very important for Burkina Faso and the Burkinabe," he said. "It concerns citizens directly, because they are voting for the delegates of their district. Every district will be ruled by a kind of council, which will decide what to do for this district."

More than a million of Burkina Faso's citizens live in the capital, Ouagadougou. Its mayor, Simon Compaore, who is not a relative of President Blaise Compaore, will try to defend his post as a member of the president's party.

He says he has already achieved a lot and this will be rewarded by the electorate¹.

"We have done so many things. Maybe, some are bad, but most of them are appreciated by the people of Ouagadougou. They like those who build, but not those who destroy," said Compaore.

The U.N. Human Development Index ranks Burkina Faso as the third poorest country in the world, with 80 percent of the population living on less than $2 a day.

The main challenger in the Ouagadougou race is Joseph Ouedraogo, who is standing² for the Union for Renewal³ Sankarist Movement, a party upholding the Marxist values of former president Thomas Sankara, who was executed when Mr. Compaore came to power.

Ouedraogo says that voters have an opportunity to change the situation in Burkina Faso.

He says that he is convinced that his supporters and the people of Burkina Faso will be able to reverse the current situation. He says, he hopes the elections will be peaceful, democratic and transparent⁴.

Burkinabe journalist Zoumana Wonogo says local elections are relevant, as Burkina Faso is highly decentralized.

"[As the mayor] of a little village, you can decide to build a school, to build a hospital and all the things you should. You can develop your district as you want. No instructions will come from the capital," he noted⁵.

According to local journalists, only two million of the seven million eligible⁶ voters have registered for the poll. Wonogo thinks this reflects, what he calls, widespread disillusionment with politicians.

"The population is disappointed," he explained. "People say the politicians are always thieving, robbing and lying. They do not believe what politicians say. They say that if they can change anything, I will not put my hand in [get involved]."

At the national level, Burkina Faso's President Compaore has been in power since a coup⁷ in 1987. He has since won presidential elections in 1991, 1998 and 2005. The president holds most of the power and appoints the government.

1 electorate   

n.全体选民；选区

参考例句：

• The government was responsible to the electorate.政府对全体选民负责。
• He has the backing of almost a quarter of the electorate.他得到了几乎1/4选民的支持。

2 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

3 renewal   

adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来

参考例句：

• Her contract is coming up for renewal in the autumn.她的合同秋天就应该续签了。
• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。

4 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。

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

6 eligible   

adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的

参考例句：

• He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
• Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。

7 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。