VOA标准英语2011-Voting Continues in South Sudanese Refere

Southern Sudanese officials say at least 30 people have died in clashes along the border with northern Sudan as the second day concluded in the region's week-long referendum on independence. Election officials say voter turnout was 20 percent on Sunday, the first day of the week-long poll.

The lines of voters outside polling stations across southern Sudan on Monday were mostly shorter than on opening day.

Nevertheless, thousands of people turned out for the referendum that is to decide whether southern Sudan remains¹ with the north or secedes² to become Africa's newest state.

Civil servant Nyapa Along left her family in Malaysia two years ago to help southern Sudan. She voted in Juba.

"I am very happy that at last we reach the final step to our freedom," said Along. "We, as the southern Sudanese people, we came all together, all our different tribes. We are looking forward to bringing peace, freedom to our southern Sudanese people."

Along urged all southern Sudanese to come together to ensure the effort does not fail.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, whose Carter Center has deployed³ 100 observers for the referendum, said no problems have been registered.

"There has been no evidence of intimidation," said Carter. "There has been no evidence of illegalities. There has been no evidence of improprieties. It has all been done in a completely admirable and perfect way, so far as we can ascertain⁴."

He said he was confident the entire process would be open, free and fair.

Another observer, former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, also praised the vote, but warned many challenges remained.

"The referendum is a first step and the real hard work begins after that and that you, as Sudanese, have to stand together and work together to build your society and your nations," said Annan.

He said important issues remained, such as demarcation of the border between north and south, and clashes in the disputed Abyei region. He urged both sides to resolve these quickly.

At Juba University, Professor Simon Monoja said he was voting for the first time in his 60 years of life. "I was looking forward to this day, and thank God it has happened and I have done it," said Monoja. "So I can go and lie down and if death comes, I will die peacefully."

Voting is to continue until Saturday, with preliminary results expected in the following weeks. The official tally⁵ is due next month.

1 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

2 secedes   

v.脱离，退出( secede的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

3 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

4 ascertain   

vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清

参考例句：

• It's difficult to ascertain the coal deposits.煤储量很难探明。
• We must ascertain the responsibility in light of different situtations.我们必须根据不同情况判定责任。

5 tally   

n.计数器，记分，一致，测量；vt.计算，记录，使一致；vi.计算，记分，一致

参考例句：

• Don't forget to keep a careful tally of what you spend.别忘了仔细记下你的开支账目。
• The facts mentioned in the report tally to every detail.报告中所提到的事实都丝毫不差。