VOA标准英语2009年-Mozambique Holds National Elections

By Scott Bobb
Maputo
28 October 2009

 
An unidentified woman gestures after casting her ballot¹ for the presidential, parliamentary and provincial² assemblies elections in Maputo, Mozambique, 28 Oct 2009
Voters in Mozambique went to the polls Wednesday in national elections for president, parliament and provincial assemblies. Officials report voting was largely orderly and peaceful.

The lines at polling stations across Mozambique began forming before dawn Wednesday as voters turned out early to elect their next government.

President Armando Guebuza of the ruling Frelimo Party was one of the first to vote in Maputo. He is running for a second, five-year term.

He told national television that he is appealing to all Mozambicans to vote in a spirit of celebration, without violence.

Veteran opposition³ leader Afonso Dhlakama of the Renamo Party also voted early. During the campaign he complained of many irregularities.

He says the main issue is that the elections be free and transparent⁴. That is the only way that the loser can accept the results and the winner can govern well.

The campaign was marked by the advent⁵ of a third political force, the Mozambique Democratic Movement led by Daviz Simango, the 45 year-old mayor of Beira, the country's second-largest city.

Simango says this is an important day that provides an opportunity to choose our leaders for the next five years.

Homemaker Dulce Manecas voted after a two-hour wait in the northern suburb of Laulane.

She says she is hoping for less crime, better roads, increased supplies of water and electricity, and for lower food prices, because she says things are very expensive.

Antonio Tembe is a professor at Maputo's Industrial Institute.

He says the priorities of the new government should be education and health care, because he says these areas need a lot of work.

Some incidents of violence were reported during the campaign and opposition parties complained that some of their candidates were prevented from running on technicalities. But analysts⁶ say overall the process was peaceful and orderly.

Preliminary results are expected in a few days.

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 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。

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 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 advent   

n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临

参考例句：

• Swallows come by groups at the advent of spring. 春天来临时燕子成群飞来。
• The advent of the Euro will redefine Europe.欧元的出现将重新定义欧洲。

6 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。