2006年VOA标准英语-Mauritania Goes to Polls in Constitutional Refe

By Joe Bavier
Abidjan
25 June 2006

 
Female police officer casts her vote at the city of Nouakchott, Mauritania, Sunday, June 25, 2006
  
The people of Mauritania are voting in a constitutional referendum aimed at bringing democratic reforms to the West African nation and ending a long history of coup¹ attempts. This is the first nationwide vote since the country's military took control in a bloodless coup last year.

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Among the key aspects of the new constitution being proposed to Mauritanian voters is an article that will limit the country's future presidents to two five-year-terms in office.

Many countries in the region currently have similar term restrictions².

In Mauritania, as journalist Salem Bokari explains, many hope the new constitution, if approved, will help bring a semblance³ of democracy to the country, which has never experienced political change through the ballot⁴ box.

"It is a referendum to permit the people to change power by votes and make an end to the totalitarian former regim," he said.

Mauritania's military toppled the former President Maaouiya Ould Taya last August in a bloodless coup. The ousted⁵ leader had ruled for two decades, and his overthrow⁶ was widely supported by the public. The country has since been ruled by a military junta⁷.

Sunday's referendum is part of a 19-month transitional period that is also to include local and legislative⁸ elections in November, and senatorial and presidential polls next year.

Polling for the referendum opened at seven in the morning local time, and Bokari says voting has gone smoothly⁹ with what appears to be a high turnout.

"It is quiet. People [are] voting in calm and peace. There [have been] no problems since this morning. The government says possibly the participation¹⁰ will attain¹¹ more than 80 percent," added Salem Bokari.

Nearly one million Mauritanians are eligible¹² to vote in the referendum. Preliminary results are expected beginning Monday

1 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。

2 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

3 semblance   

n.外貌，外表

参考例句：

• Her semblance of anger frightened the children.她生气的样子使孩子们感到害怕。
• Those clouds have the semblance of a large head.那些云的形状像一个巨大的人头。

4 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。

5 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

6 overthrow   

v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆

参考例句：

• After the overthrow of the government,the country was in chaos.政府被推翻后，这个国家处于混乱中。
• The overthrow of his plans left him much discouraged.他的计划的失败使得他很气馁。

7 junta   

n.团体；政务审议会

参考例句：

• The junta reacted violently to the perceived threat to its authority.军政府感到自身权力受威胁而进行了激烈反击。
• A military junta took control of the country.一个军政权控制了国家。

8 legislative   

n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的

参考例句：

• Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government.国会是美国政府的立法部门。
• Today's hearing was just the first step in the legislative process.今天的听证会只是展开立法程序的第一步。

9 smoothly   

adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地

参考例句：

• The workmen are very cooperative,so the work goes on smoothly.工人们十分合作，所以工作进展顺利。
• Just change one or two words and the sentence will read smoothly.这句话只要动一两个字就顺了。

10 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

11 attain   

vt.达到，获得，完成

参考例句：

• I used the scientific method to attain this end. 我用科学的方法来达到这一目的。
• His painstaking to attain his goal in life is praiseworthy. 他为实现人生目标所下的苦功是值得称赞的。

12 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。