VOA常速英语2007年-Big Win Expected for Putin as Russians Vote in

By Peter Fedynsky
Moscow
02 December 2007

Russians are voting in a parliamentary election in which President Vladimir Putin leads the list of the ruling United Russia Party, though he is not a candidate. VOA Moscow Correspondent Peter Fedynsky reports Mr. Putin's name on the ballot¹ could explain pressure for a high voter turnout.

Polls opened in each of Russia's 11 time zones at eight in the morning, staying open until eight in the evening. First to cast ballots² were residents of Chukhotka, across the Bering Sea from Alaska.

The Interfax News Agency reports voter turnout in the region at nearly 77 percent. Neighboring Kamchatka is reported at nearly 54 percent.

Within two hours after voting began in Moscow and before it finished in most of the country, Russian election officials and the national news media reported a turnout twice as high as the previous election, based on midday volume.

A get-out-the-vote campaign was conducted via television and billboard³ advertising⁴. Opposition⁵ sources also reported many voters faced workplace pressure to cast ballots in favor of United Russia.

Analysts⁶ say it is important for the party to get at least a 60 percent voter turnout to allow President Putin to claim popular support. Although he is not a candidate, Mr. Putin said United Russia should influence all levels of Russian government.

At election precinct number 2717 in Moscow, like at many of Russia's 95,000 polling stations, voters were greeted to a festive⁷ atmosphere - music, food, and an impromptu⁸ bazaar⁹ of household items.

Antonina Kalistratovna, 79, entered the precinct to cast her ballot for Vladimir Putin's party, but says she did not know exactly why.

Kalistratova says everybody recommends voting for Putin. "We like anybody," she notes, "as long as they help us and do not abandon us."

Ilya, a 23-year-old medical student cast his ballot for the communists, who promise to improve social benefits.

Ilya says he read the Communist Party program, which convinced him that it offers the most equitable¹⁰ social policy.

Sunday's election was organized under two significant rule changes. Unlike previous elections, voters no longer cast ballots for individual candidates, but rather for political parties whose members determine the composition of parliament. The second rule requires a party to gain seven percent of the vote for parliamentary representation.

Under the new threshold, public opinion polls indicate only two of the 11 participating parties are assured seats in the new parliament - United Russia with an overwhelming majority, and the Communist Party. Two others with a chance are both Kremlin-friendly - the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party and A Just Russia.

United Russia is the only party to have had permission for a media campaign on national television, which opposition activists¹¹ say gave the ruling party an unfair advantage.

Voting in many precincts is now conducted with paper ballots scanned into computers. The vote count begins as soon a polls close, however a final tally¹² is not expected until December 16.

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 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 billboard   

n.布告板，揭示栏，广告牌

参考例句：

• He ploughed his energies into his father's billboard business.他把精力投入到父亲的广告牌业务中。
• Billboard spreads will be simpler and more eye-catching.广告牌广告会比较简单且更引人注目。

4 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

5 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

6 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

7 festive   

adj.欢宴的，节日的

参考例句：

• It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
• We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。

8 impromptu   

adj.即席的，即兴的；adv.即兴的(地)，无准备的(地)

参考例句：

• The announcement was made in an impromptu press conference at the airport.这一宣布是在机场举行的临时新闻发布会上作出的。
• The children put on an impromptu concert for the visitors.孩子们为来访者即兴献上了一场音乐会。

9 bazaar   

n.集市，商店集中区

参考例句：

• Chickens,goats and rabbits were offered for barter at the bazaar.在集市上，鸡、山羊和兔子被摆出来作物物交换之用。
• We bargained for a beautiful rug in the bazaar.我们在集市通过讨价还价买到了一条很漂亮的地毯。

10 equitable   

adj.公平的；公正的

参考例句：

• This is an equitable solution to the dispute. 这是对该项争议的公正解决。
• Paying a person what he has earned is equitable. 酬其应得,乃公平之事。

11 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》

12 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。