VOA标准英语202--Libyans Upset Over Restrictive Voting Abroad

 

Libyans Upset Over Restrictive Voting Abroad

Few Libyans remember days like this when they could vote. And, it counted.

“Just saying that -- Libyan government. 'Voting for the Libyan government' has a nice, sweet ring to it,” said Libyan voter Adam Sbita.

Voters say the ink on their finger reminds them of the blood of Libyans who died, liberating¹ their country from 42 years of autocratic rule by Moammar Gadhafi.

“It’s like the taste of freedom," voter Naji Abdelwanis exclaimed. It’s like a feeling I cannot describe.”

Mohamed Gibani will not experience that same feeling. He lives in California and cannot travel to Washington.

“Myself and four children that’s $5,000, almost $5,000 -- that’s a lot of money to cast a vote,” he said. 

Washington is the only polling place for Libyans in the United States. And voters must appear in person. There are no electronic or mail-in ballots².

Just one location for what the embassy estimates are 25,000 Libyans living in the United States. The ambassador says he requested eight different locations, but was turned down by the High National Election Commission.

“The time and the pressure does not serve us to have more than one location,” explained US Ambassador to Libya, Ali Aujali.

Yet, Egypt in the first election since its revolution, held balloting³ in five different U.S. cities and 141 countries. And, absentee ballots were accepted by mail. 

The International Organization for Migration⁴ (IOM) was hired to conduct the Libyan elections abroad. The intergovernmental organization is much better known for its support of humane⁵ migration policies, than for its election work. Sources say IOM was paid a multi-million-dollar contract to hold elections in six countries. 

“IOM is the implementing⁶ partner, but all the legal and policy decisions are taken by the HNEC,” said Katy Collin, U.S. voting coordinator⁷.

Despite VOAs numerous attempts, the HNEC--the High National Election Commission--could not be reached for comment. Libyan Ali Mohammed Alawaj says he might protest that lack of openness and not drive four hours to vote in Washington. 

“They say, okay, let’s do it in phases…maybe we’ll start with a little bit -- 10 percent will vote in the U.S. now but next year will be 80 percent, But that doesn’t work. Because democracy freedom and the people who died in Libya didn’t ask for that," he said. "They want 100 percent freedom. 100 percent democracy.”

Others say things will get better. They know that change happens...because this was nine months ago…..and this is now. 

1 liberating   

解放，释放( liberate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Revolution means liberating the productive forces. 革命就是为了解放生产力。
• They had already taken on their shoulders the burden of reforming society and liberating mankind. 甚至在这些集会聚谈中，他们就已经夸大地把改革社会、解放人群的责任放在自己的肩头了。 来自汉英文学 - 家（1-26） - 家（1-26）

2 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》

3 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

4 migration   

n.迁移，移居，（鸟类等的）迁徙

参考例句：

• Swallows begin their migration south in autumn.燕子在秋季开始向南方迁移。
• He described the vernal migration of birds in detail.他详细地描述了鸟的春季移居。

5 humane   

adj.人道的，富有同情心的

参考例句：

• Is it humane to kill animals for food?宰杀牲畜来吃合乎人道吗？
• Their aim is for a more just and humane society.他们的目标是建立一个更加公正、博爱的社会。

6 implementing   

v.实现( implement的现在分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• -- Implementing a comprehensive drug control strategy. ――实行综合治理的禁毒战略。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
• He was in no hurry about implementing his unshakable principle. 他并不急于实行他那不可动摇的原则。 来自辞典例句

7 coordinator   

n.协调人

参考例句：

• The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, headed by the Emergency Relief Coordinator, coordinates all UN emergency relief. 联合国人道主义事务协调厅在紧急救济协调员领导下，负责协调联合国的所有紧急救济工作。
• How am I supposed to find the client-relations coordinator? 我怎么才能找到客户关系协调员的办公室？