VOA标准英语 India Completes First Phase of Voting in National El

At least 18 people were killed as India's voters cast ballots¹ in the first part of a five-stage election in the world's largest democracy. More than 2.5 million security officers were on duty in the 15 Indian states and two territories where balloting² took place. Polling was disrupted in several states, where attacks were launched on polling booths and security forces.
　
Women in line to vote at a polling center at a Catholic school in Hyderabad, Andra Pradesh

For the 15th time since independence, Indians have begun choosing their national lawmakers.

Security was especially heavy in several central and eastern states, where Maoist insurgents³, known as Naxalites, disrupted some polling by killing⁴ election officials and soldiers, and burning voting stations.

Deputy National Election Commissioner⁵ R. Balakrishnan said violence or other types of disruptions affected⁶ 86 polling stations - a tiny fraction of the total.

"There have been incidents of violence and particularly in the Naxal-affected area," he said. "These particular incidents need to be seen in the context of number of polling stations, number of parliamentary constituencies involved in today's election process."
　
Dental surgeon Minhaj Uddin Ahmed, right, enters polling station in Hyderabad, 16 Apr 2009

In Andhra Pradesh, the incumbent⁷ government at the state and national level, led by the Congress Party, is pinning its hopes on voters such as dental surgeon Minhaj Uddin Ahmed. He told VOA News the electorate⁸ is making its decision based on the performance of the government and what it has been providing for the public.

"All these things we need to take into consideration before voting. Nowadays, people are well acquainted and very much aware of the political environment here," he said. "People are very much happy with this particular government right now in Andhra Pradesh."
　
Kota Durga, Hyderabad, Andra Pradesh, 16 Apr 2009

At another polling station nearby, housewife Kota Durga had a different opinion. She complains prices of commodities have become too high and tells VOA she voted for change.

Durga also laments⁹ that women should feel safe and not feel it is difficult to come out of the house.

Election officials put the turnout in Andhra Pradesh at 65 percent. The state holds a second phase of voting next Thursday.

Polls show a tight race in this key state and analysts¹⁰ say the outcome here could determine the balance of power at the national level.

Neither of the two main parties, Congress or the nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, is expected to win enough of the 543 Lower House seats to form a government by itself. That has leftist and regional parties playing a more critical role on the election stage in Andhra Pradesh and other key states.

Nationally, more than 700 million voters are eligible¹¹ to cast ballots in the month-long election, which is staggered for logistical and security reasons.

1 ballots   

n.投票表决( ballot的名词复数 )；选举；选票；投票总数v.（使）投票表决( ballot的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• They're counting the ballots. 他们正在计算选票。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The news of rigged ballots has rubbed off much of the shine of their election victory. 他们操纵选票的消息使他们在选举中获得的胜利大为减色。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 balloting   

v.（使）投票表决( ballot的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Clark took a commanding leading in the early balloting. 在最初投票时，克拉克遥遥领先。 来自辞典例句
• The balloting had stagnated, he couldn't win. 投票工作陷于停顿，他不能得胜。 来自辞典例句

3 insurgents   

n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The regular troops of Baden joined the insurgents. 巴登的正规军参加到起义军方面来了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Against the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents, these problems are manageable. 要对付塔利班与伊拉克叛乱分子，这些问题还是可以把握住的。 来自互联网

4 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

5 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

6 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

7 incumbent   

adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的

参考例句：

• He defeated the incumbent governor by a large plurality.他以压倒多数票击败了现任州长。
• It is incumbent upon you to warn them.你有责任警告他们。

8 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。

9 laments   

n.悲恸，哀歌，挽歌( lament的名词复数 )v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• In the poem he laments the destruction of the countryside. 在那首诗里他对乡村遭到的破坏流露出悲哀。
• In this book he laments the slight interest shown in his writings. 在该书中他慨叹人们对他的著作兴趣微弱。 来自辞典例句

10 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。

11 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。