VOA标准英语2012--Senegal Votes Amid Turmoil Over Presidential Controversy

Senegal Votes Amid Turmoil¹ Over Presidential Controversy²

Members of Senegal's opposition³ movement say they will continue daily protests to force Wade⁴ to withdraw his candidacy. Led by several opposition candidates, demonstrators have tried to reach the Place de l'Independence in the heart of downtown Dakar - where demonstrations⁵ are prohibited ahead of Sunday's vote.
Protesters say the ban and its excessive enforcement have no place in Senegal's celebrated⁶ democracy.
"We are not here to make war with our brother policemen. Far from it. We only want our rights. The constitution gives us the right to demonstrate," said protester Fatou Diop.
The reason for the demonstrations also is a constitutional matter. Wade amended⁷ the document to include a two-term limit in 2001. But despite that, he is now running for a third term.
"How can he forget the number of terms he can serve? It is absurd," said Diop.
Despite his 2007 pledge not to run again, Wade said he needs another term to finish several projects - including a new airport just outside Dakar. His supporters agree and want to let him finish what he has started.
"He has transformed the infrastructure⁸ in all of Senegal. Dams, bridges, education. Has made Senegal what Senegal has never been before," said Wade supporter Serigne Diatta.
Even his opponents are quick to concede that Wade has improved the country's infrastructure. But he is highly criticized for vanity projects - like his $27-million Monument to the African Renaissance⁹ - as wastes of public funds in a country plagued by constant power cuts, high unemployment, and a broken public education system.
"All of these failures certainly justify¹⁰ the falling out between the Senegalese people and the regime of Abdoulaye Wade," said presidential candidate Ibrahima Fall.
Candidate Ibrahima Fall has suggested the vote be delayed in light of the recent unrest. At least 10 have died in protests throughout Senegal since the nation's Constitutional Council approved the president's candidacy on January 27. The same court will oversee¹¹ the outcome of the elections. That worries an opposition who believes the court's independence is compromised. Wade repeatedly has guaranteed that he will exceed the 50% needed for a first-round victory over all 13 opponents.
"They have lost, they have lost, they have lost...," said Wade.
Large delegations¹² of observers have come from the European and African Unions, as well as the Economic Community of West African States to monitor the vote, which Wade's government says will be fair and transparent¹³.

1 turmoil   

n.骚乱，混乱，动乱

参考例句：

• His mind was in such a turmoil that he couldn't get to sleep.内心的纷扰使他无法入睡。
• The robbery put the village in a turmoil.抢劫使全村陷入混乱。

2 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

3 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。

4 wade   

v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉

参考例句：

• We had to wade through the river to the opposite bank.我们只好涉水过河到对岸。
• We cannot but wade across the river.我们只好趟水过去。

5 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。

6 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

7 Amended   

adj. 修正的 动词amend的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He asked to see the amended version. 他要求看修订本。
• He amended his speech by making some additions and deletions. 他对讲稿作了些增删修改。

8 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

9 renaissance   

n.复活，复兴，文艺复兴

参考例句：

• The Renaissance was an epoch of unparalleled cultural achievement.文艺复兴是一个文化上取得空前成就的时代。
• The theme of the conference is renaissance Europe.大会的主题是文艺复兴时期的欧洲。

10 justify   

vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护

参考例句：

• He tried to justify his absence with lame excuses.他想用站不住脚的借口为自己的缺席辩解。
• Can you justify your rude behavior to me?你能向我证明你的粗野行为是有道理的吗？

11 oversee   

vt.监督，管理

参考例句：

• Soldiers oversee the food handouts.士兵们看管着救济食品。
• Use a surveyor or architect to oversee and inspect the different stages of the work.请一位房产检视员或建筑师来监督并检查不同阶段的工作。

12 delegations   

n.代表团( delegation的名词复数 )；委托，委派

参考例句：

• In the past 15 years, China has sent 280 women delegations abroad. 十五年来，中国共派280批妇女代表团出访。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
• The Sun Ray decision follows the federal pattern of tolerating broad delegations but insisting on safeguards. “阳光”案的判决仿效联邦容许广泛授权的做法，但又坚持保护措施。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法

13 transparent   

adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的

参考例句：

• The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
• The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。