2006年VOA标准英语-Controversy in Mexico's Close Presidential Elec

By Greg Flakus
Mexico City
10 July 2006
 
watch Mexico Election report

Felipe Calderon waves to supporters  
  
Mexico's Federal Electoral Institute says Felipe Calderon of the ruling National Action Party narrowly won the presidential election held a week ago.  It says Mr. Calderon won with 35.88 percent of the vote. His closest rival, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, received 35.31 percent. It was the closest presidential contest in Mexican history. The losing candidate, however, refused to accept the final result and wants a recount of every vote cast in the election.

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Protesters chant for Andres Manual Lopez   
  
These people say the election is not over. They chant that, if their candidate, Andres Manuel Lopez, is not declared the winner there will be a revolution.

Protest leader Gustavo Ortega Bravo says he and millions of others who supported Lopez Obrador have no confidence in the electoral system. He says they must mobilize nationwide to keep political leaders from ignoring their complaints.

But the demonstrations¹ raise fears of violence and chaos² for many Mexicans.

One woman worries that Lopez Obrador will provoke followers³ to aggressive actions.

Electoral officials pull out ballots⁴ from a box at the 15th District office during the final count,  Mexico City, July 5, 2006    
  
Close to 60 percent of Mexico's registered voters showed up at the polls on Sunday, July second, in a process international observers called exemplary.

Since then, most Mexicans have followed developments in the news media, but have gone about their normal daily lives.

But leftist groups have shown they can shut down streets here in an instant, disrupting traffic and the daily routine of millions of city residents.

Election officials say there is no reason for strife⁵ as the law provides mechanisms⁶ to contest election results based on alleged⁷ irregularities.

But those who distrust the system and truly believe their candidate lost through fraud say they will continue to take their complaints to the streets.

1 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

2 chaos   

n.混乱，无秩序

参考例句：

• After the failure of electricity supply the city was in chaos.停电后，城市一片混乱。
• The typhoon left chaos behind it.台风后一片混乱。

3 followers   

追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件

参考例句：

• the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
• The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。

4 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》

5 strife   

n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争

参考例句：

• We do not intend to be drawn into the internal strife.我们不想卷入内乱之中。
• Money is a major cause of strife in many marriages.金钱是造成很多婚姻不和的一个主要原因。

6 mechanisms   

n.机械( mechanism的名词复数 )；机械装置；[生物学] 机制；机械作用

参考例句：

• The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms. 这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He explained how the two mechanisms worked. 他解释这两台机械装置是如何工作的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为