2006年VOA标准英语-Peruvians Vote in National Elections Sunda

By Michael Bowman
Lima
09 April 2006

 
Electoral workers carry voting boxes to a poll station in Lima, Saturday, April 8, 2006
  
Peruvians head to the polls Sunday for presidential and legislative¹ elections. The latest public opinion surveys project a virtual tie between three presidential aspirants² with vastly different visions of where to take the country. Many Peruvians say they are voting for change, but some doubt that positive change will occur, regardless of who is elected.

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On the eve of the elections, people of all ages lounged on benches in the colonial-style plaza³ in front of Lima's presidential palace. On what is called a "day of reflection," many businesses closed early. After months of campaigning, all 20-plus presidential candidates delivered their final speeches days ago, and Peruvian law places a moratorium⁴ on the domestic reporting of poll numbers two days prior to elections.

Strolling through the plaza with her mother, Blanca Mejia says she will go to the polls with optimism.

She says, "One has to vote with joy and enthusiasm for Peru's future, that it may grow and improve, and that good things happen."

Electrician Eduardo Nunez sees things differently, and says he will vote mainly because those who do not are fined under Peruvian law.

He says, "I will vote primarily because I am obligated to do so. Sincerely, I don't agree with any of the candidates. There is too much talk. They make promises and more promises, but they never fulfill⁵ any of them."

Final opinion polls showed three presidential hopefuls in a statistical⁶ tie: populist Ollanta Humala, a former soldier who has pledged to rescind⁷ perks⁸ given to foreign corporations that invest in the country, center-right lawyer Lourdes Flores, who has promised to aid small businesses, and former President Alan Garcia, who has pledged not to repeat the mistakes of his previous administration.

Peru has enjoyed four consecutive⁹ years of strong economic growth under outgoing President Alejandro Toledo, but poverty rates remain stubbornly high. Surveys show most Peruvians feel they have benefited little from their country's overall economic improvement.

Public school teacher Osvaldo Gutierrez says it does not matter who becomes president because nothing will change.

He says, "Why do our politicians seek power? To steal. To fill their pockets without caring about the people. That is why Peru has 13 to 14 million people living in extreme poverty."

Voting is taking place on Palm Sunday, the week before Easter in this heavily Catholic country of more than 16 million eligible¹⁰ voters. To give people maximum time to show up at the polls, churches have been prohibited from opening their doors, leading to complaints from clergy¹¹ and the faithful alike.

Bank teller¹² Maria Aleman says it would be easy to lose hope, given what she regards as the poor track record of previous leaders to address Peru's needs. But she says she refuses to surrender to pessimism¹³.

She says, "I think we have to have hope. At least a little."

No candidate is projected to come close to securing the 50 percent of the vote needed to win the presidency¹⁴ outright¹⁵, making it likely that the top two vote-getters will compete in a run-off contest at the end of the month.

1 legislative   

n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的

参考例句：

• Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government.国会是美国政府的立法部门。
• Today's hearing was just the first step in the legislative process.今天的听证会只是展开立法程序的第一步。

2 aspirants   

n.有志向或渴望获得…的人( aspirant的名词复数 )v.渴望的，有抱负的，追求名誉或地位的( aspirant的第三人称单数 )；有志向或渴望获得…的人

参考例句：

• aspirants to the title of world champion 有志夺取世界冠军的人
• The examination was so rigid that nearly all aspirants were ruled out. 考试很严，几乎所有的考生都被淘汰了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

3 plaza   

n.广场，市场

参考例句：

• They designated the new shopping centre York Plaza.他们给这个新购物中心定名为约克购物中心。
• The plaza is teeming with undercover policemen.这个广场上布满了便衣警察。

4 moratorium   

n.(行动、活动的)暂停(期)，延期偿付

参考例句：

• The government has called for a moratorium on weapons testing.政府已要求暂停武器试验。
• We recommended a moratorium on two particular kinds of experiments.我们建议暂禁两种特殊的实验。

5 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。

6 statistical   

adj.统计的，统计学的

参考例句：

• He showed the price fluctuations in a statistical table.他用统计表显示价格的波动。
• They're making detailed statistical analysis.他们正在做具体的统计分析。

7 rescind   

v.废除，取消

参考例句：

• They accepted his advice and rescinded the original plan.他们听从了他的劝告，撤销了原计划。
• Trade Union leaders have demanded the government rescind the price rise.工会领导已经要求政府阻止价格上涨。

8 perks   

额外津贴，附带福利，外快( perk的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Perks offered by the firm include a car and free health insurance. 公司给予的额外待遇包括一辆汽车和免费健康保险。
• Are there any perks that go with your job? 你的工作有什么津贴吗？

9 consecutive   

adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的

参考例句：

• It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
• The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。

10 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。

11 clergy   

n.[总称]牧师，神职人员

参考例句：

• I could heartily wish that more of our country clergy would follow this example.我衷心希望，我国有更多的牧师效法这个榜样。
• All the local clergy attended the ceremony.当地所有的牧师出席了仪式。

12 teller   

n.银行出纳员；(选举)计票员

参考例句：

• The bank started her as a teller.银行起用她当出纳员。
• The teller tried to remain aloof and calm.出纳员力图保持冷漠和镇静。

13 pessimism   

n.悲观者，悲观主义者，厌世者

参考例句：

• He displayed his usual pessimism.他流露出惯有的悲观。
• There is the note of pessimism in his writings.他的著作带有悲观色彩。

14 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

15 outright   

adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的

参考例句：

• If you have a complaint you should tell me outright.如果你有不满意的事，你应该直率地对我说。
• You should persuade her to marry you outright.你应该彻底劝服她嫁给你。