2007年VOA标准英语-Disputes Delay East Timor Vote Count

By Nancy-Amelia Collins
Dili
02 July 2007

Vote counting has been slightly delayed in the East Timor parliamentary elections but the count has finally gotten under way in the capital Dili, two days after the June 30 elections. VOA's Nancy-Amelia Collins reports from Dili.

ballot1 during the vote counting in Dili, East Timor, 02 July 2007" hspace="2" src="/upimg/allimg/070705/0929260.jpg" width="210" vspace="2" border="0" />

An electoral worker shows a ballot during the vote counting in Dili, East Timor, 02 July 2007

By Monday afternoon, more than 20 percent of the votes have been counted.

Disputes held up the process in the capital Dili, which accounts for around 20 percent of the vote. The two top parties vying² for places in the 65-seat parliament wanted extra members to observe the counting process.

Maria Angelina Sarmeinto, the spokeswoman for the National Electoral Commission, known as the CNE, says party leaders wanted 10 members from each party to monitor the count, more than allowed by regulations.

After negotiations³, which delayed the counting in Dili by a day, the commission agreed to allow the extra observers, but Sarmeinto says formal reprimands have been issued.

"A formal complaint was presented by party agents and the CNE responded by allowing the entrance of 10 agents per party," she said. "Despite the agreement, which can be justified⁴ by the tension surrounding these elections, the National Electoral Commission issued a formal reprimand to political parties in which it condemns⁵ their undue⁶ behavior that constitutes an electoral offense⁷."

Although 14 parties fielded candidates, the election is mainly seen as a fight between the ruling Fretilin party and the new CNRT party of former President Xanana Gusmao.

Political analysts⁸ doubt either will win an outright⁹ majority, and say a coalition¹⁰ government will likely be formed.

East Timor descended¹¹ into violence last year when fighting between security forces descended into arson¹², looting and gang violence.

Over three thousand international peacekeepers remain in the country after Dili requested their presence to stop the violence.

The European Union Election Observation Mission monitoring the vote says it has been generally peaceful.

The head of the EU delegation¹³, Ana Gomes, says her team is confident the parties will accept the outcome of the election without resorting to violence.

"So what I have now just to say is … by stressing our confidence that the leaders of East Timor of the different parties will absolutely hear the call of the people for peaceful settlement of disputes, for dialogue, for govern[ment] of the country which will be inclusive and genuinely democratic," she said.

 

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 vying   

adj.竞争的；比赛的

参考例句：

• California is vying with other states to capture a piece of the growing communications market.为了在日渐扩大的通讯市场分得一杯羹，加利福尼亚正在和其他州展开竞争。
• Four rescue plans are vying to save the zoo.4个拯救动物园的方案正争得不可开交。

3 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

4 justified   

a.正当的，有理的

参考例句：

• She felt fully justified in asking for her money back. 她认为有充分的理由要求退款。
• The prisoner has certainly justified his claims by his actions. 那个囚犯确实已用自己的行动表明他的要求是正当的。

5 condemns   

v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的第三人称单数 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地

参考例句：

• Her widowhood condemns her to a lonely old age. 守寡使她不得不过着孤独的晚年生活。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The public opinion condemns prostitution. 公众舆论遣责卖淫。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 undue   

adj.过分的；不适当的；未到期的

参考例句：

• Don't treat the matter with undue haste.不要过急地处理此事。
• It would be wise not to give undue importance to his criticisms.最好不要过分看重他的批评。

7 offense   

n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪

参考例句：

• I hope you will not take any offense at my words. 对我讲的话请别见怪。
• His words gave great offense to everybody present.他的发言冲犯了在场的所有人。

8 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。

9 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。

10 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

11 descended   

a.为...后裔的，出身于...的

参考例句：

• A mood of melancholy descended on us. 一种悲伤的情绪袭上我们的心头。
• The path descended the hill in a series of zigzags. 小路呈连续的之字形顺着山坡蜿蜒而下。

12 arson   

n.纵火，放火

参考例句：

• He was serving a ten spot for arson.他因纵火罪在服十年徒刑。
• He was arraigned on a charge of arson.他因被指控犯纵火罪而被传讯。

13 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。