VOA标准英语2009年-Campaign Ends as Mozambique Prepares for N

By Scott Bobb
Maputo
26 October 2009

Political parties in Mozambique have ended their campaigns as voters prepare to go to the polls Wednesday to choose a president, parliament and provincial¹ assemblies. The Front for the Liberation of Mozambique, known as Frelimo, is expected to continue its domination of the political scene. But a new political party has emerged to compete for the leadership of the opposition².

 
Supporters attend a ruling Frelimo party election rally in Nampula city, Mozambique, 25 Oct 2009
Political parties in Mozambique held their final rallies Sunday parading through the streets of Maputo and passing out leaflets.

Voters are expected to re-elect President Armando Guebuza to a second, five-year term and give his Frelimo party continued control of parliament and many provincial assemblies.

Frelimo led the struggle for independence in 1974 and has dominated politics ever since.

Spokesman Danilo Nhantumbo says Mr. Guebuza wants to build on the country's impressive recent growth rate and improve the quality of life in what the United Nations says is one of the world's poorest countries.

"The priorities: Education, health and infrastructure³ and to promote the culture of peace and democracy and good governance," said Nhantumbo.

But the Renamo Party, which fought a 17-year civil war against Frelimo after independence, hopes its candidate, Afonso Dhlakama, will win the presidency⁴ on his fourth try.

Renamo Spokesman Eduardo Namburete says the ruling party has been in power too long.

"We are very concerned about the lack of justice for citizens. Justice is only allowed for people who are connected to the ruling party," said Nambureta. "Ordinary citizens are not entitled to fair justice."

Dhlakama has been accused of weakening the party by refusing to step aside in favor of a new generation of political leaders. He says if he loses on Wednesday he will not run again.

A new party, the seven month-old Mozambique Democratic Movement, is the result of a Renamo power struggle. Its 45 year-old leader, Daviz Simango is the mayor of Beira, the country's second city. He was expelled from Renamo last year but ran as an independent and won re-election.

MDM parliamentary candidate Ismael Mussá says its time for the younger generation to govern.

He says the MDM is focused on the youth which has three major problems: housing, education and jobs.

Political analyst⁵ Calton Cadiado of Maputo's Institute for International Relations, says Simango and the MDM are likely to be viewed as the success story of these elections.

"No matter what kind of results he [MDM] will have in these elections, he will be a successful party because he is a new party and he is trying to come into this political process in a high dimension," said Cadiado.

But he says the new-comer needs to win some important seats in parliament in order to be seen as a major player.

There have been reports of political intimidation⁶ and occasional violence during the campaign. And opposition parties have complained that some of their candidates were excluded from the race on technicalities.

But all parties say they want a peaceful and orderly vote on Wednesday.

1 provincial   

adj.省的，地方的；n．外省人，乡下人

参考例句：

• City dwellers think country folk have provincial attitudes.城里人以为乡下人思想迂腐。
• Two leading cadres came down from the provincial capital yesterday.昨天从省里下来了两位领导干部。

2 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。

3 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

4 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

5 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

6 intimidation   

n.恐吓，威胁

参考例句：

• The Opposition alleged voter intimidation by the army.反对党声称投票者受到军方的恐吓。
• The gang silenced witnesses by intimidation.恶帮用恐吓的手段使得证人不敢说话。