VOA标准英语2011--Egyptians Turn out for Referendum on Con

Egyptian voters came out in force Saturday for the first ballot¹ since popular protests swept away the previous government. Egyptians are taking part in a referendum on a package of constitutional amendments³.
The chance to make their voices heard was a key demand of the protesters and Egyptians took advantage of the first chance to do so at the ballot box. People stood in long lines outside voting stations even before they opened, a dramatic change in a country where previous votes and their predictable outcomes inspired little more than apathy⁴.
Their choice is a simple yes or no to a set of nine changes to the constitution, written by a panel appointed by the military, leading the country since former President Hosni Mubarak stepped down last month. Among the amendments are moves to open upcoming parliamentary and presidential races to more parties and individuals. Another change would limit the next president to a maximum of two four-year terms.
But some people believe the measures don't go far enough.? Salama, who gave just her first name, is a computer engineer who cast her vote in Cairo.
"I think it's better to have a new constitution," she said. "This constitution, this kind of constitution was devised in 1971. It's full of wrong things, wrong articles and clauses. It doesn't make any sense to amend² a faulty constitution. We need a new one."
Joining ordinary voters in calling for a no vote are many of the young activists⁵ who helped lead the protests.? So too are two of the new presidential contenders, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa and former U.N. nuclear chief Mohamed ElBaradei.?? ElBaradei was the subject of a hostile crowd as he tried to vote Saturday, with some smashing the glass of his car as it retreated. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack.
But many more here are trying to forge ahead - peacefully - with what they see as the business at hand.
Mahmoud Nasr, an engineer at a cola company, cast his vote in favor of the changes.
After voting in the capital, Nasr argued that the amendments are enough to take Egypt to "a peaceful stage" that will allow for fair elections.?? The votes for parliament and president are set for later this year. He adds that out of those elections will come the group tasked to prepare a completely new constitution.
Other prominent opponents of the old government agree, some for a very specific reason. Publisher Hisham Kassem is aware that pushing through with all these votes may seem hasty.
"Regardless of the fact that the time span is short, I want to see the military back in their barracks. But I believe there will be people there who will disagree, would like to see the military stay in power for longer till they prepare for elections," said Kassem.
Kassam is acknowledging the fears of some here in Egypt that the quick schedule could favor such established groups as Mubarak's National Democratic Party and the Muslim Brotherhood⁶.? The Brotherhood has tried to ease concerns by saying it will field candidates for only about a third of the parliamentary seats and will not have anyone running for president.
Despite the polarized views the referendum has elicited⁷, there does appear one shared emotion.? Nagy Nassif, a supervisor⁸ in a pharmaceutical⁹ company, seemed to speak for many in the crowded polling places across the country.
After casting the first ballot of his life, Nassif said he didn't vote before because he felt no matter what he said, the government would do what it wanted.? Now, he said, he sees all these people speaking with full freedom.? What matters, he added, is that the result is in favor of the people, in favor of the country.
Preliminary results are expected Sunday.

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 amend   

vt.修改，修订，改进；n.[pl.]赔罪，赔偿

参考例句：

• The teacher advised him to amend his way of living.老师劝他改变生活方式。
• You must amend your pronunciation.你必须改正你的发音。

3 amendments   

（法律、文件的）改动( amendment的名词复数 )； 修正案； 修改； （美国宪法的）修正案

参考例句：

• The committee does not adequately consult others when drafting amendments. 委员会在起草修正案时没有充分征求他人的意见。
• Please propose amendments and addenda to the first draft of the document. 请对这个文件的初稿提出修改和补充意见。

4 apathy   

n.漠不关心，无动于衷；冷淡

参考例句：

• He was sunk in apathy after his failure.他失败后心恢意冷。
• She heard the story with apathy.她听了这个故事无动于衷。

5 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 brotherhood   

n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊

参考例句：

• They broke up the brotherhood.他们断绝了兄弟关系。
• They live and work together in complete equality and brotherhood.他们完全平等和兄弟般地在一起生活和工作。

7 elicited   

引出，探出( elicit的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Threats to reinstate the tax elicited jeer from the Opposition. 恢复此项征税的威胁引起了反对党的嘲笑。
• The comedian's joke elicited applause and laughter from the audience. 那位滑稽演员的笑话博得观众的掌声和笑声。

8 supervisor   

n.监督人，管理人，检查员，督学，主管，导师

参考例句：

• Between you and me I think that new supervisor is a twit.我们私下说，我认为新来的主管人是一个傻瓜。
• He said I was too flighty to be a good supervisor.他说我太轻浮不能成为一名好的管理员。

9 pharmaceutical   

adj.药学的，药物的；药用的，药剂师的

参考例句：

• She has donated money to establish a pharmaceutical laboratory.她捐款成立了一个药剂实验室。
• We are engaged in a legal tussle with a large pharmaceutical company.我们正同一家大制药公司闹法律纠纷。