VOA标准英语2014--Votes Cast, Egyptians Abroad Wait for Referendum Results 在国外的埃及人等待公投结果

 

Votes Cast, Egyptians Abroad Wait for Referendum Results 在国外的埃及人等待公投结果

WASHINGTON — Voters in Egypt go to the polls Tuesday and Wednesday (Jan. 14-15) to vote on a constitution written by the military-backed interim¹ government. It would replace the one adopted under the Islamist administration ousted² last year.  Egyptians living in other countries have already had their say on the document.

They lined up at consulates³, like this one in Dubai.  Egyptians living abroad voting yes or no on the country's new constitution.

At the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, the lines were shorter when Sherif Helmy and his family came to cast their ballots⁴.

“Yes.  I voted yes.  I voted yes for many reasons," he said. "The constitution included many things that would give the right of speech to everyone.”

Sherif's 24-year-old son Kamal agreed with his dad, also voting yes, though he said getting to that point wasn't always easy.

“It gets kind of heated sometimes," he said. "Dinners have taken a wrong turn here and there but I think that comes with the territory.”

Serious going in, a persistent⁵ rain couldn't dampen their spirits on the way out.

It's the type of reaction that Egypt's ambassador to the U.S., Mohamed Tawfik, says is needed.

“This is about a new constitution but it’s also about a whole process. It’s about the way forward, and that’s why we’re listening very carefully," he said. "We want to know what the Egyptian people want.”

Just under two years ago many Egyptians came here with a sense of excitement about the future.  This time they’ve come with a seriousness of purpose, while some are so upset, they haven’t come at all.

They tend to be those who oppose the military-led government's crackdown on demonstrations⁶ and free expression.   

Safei Hamed, who is with Egyptians Worldwide for Democracy and Justice, is one of them.

"We have to express not only ourselves but express what Egyptians inside cannot say because they will end up of course being imprisoned⁷ or being killed," he said.

During five days of voting at the embassy in Washington, out of almost 6,900 eligible⁸ voters (from a region covering the states of Delaware to Florida), 844 cast ballots, 810 saying yes.  

As for what happens next, Eric Trager at the Washington Institute says the numbers in Egypt will be key.

“For both sides it’s really the turn-out more than the yes or no vote that will determine popular buy-in into this system,” he said.

Families like the Helmys hope it all works out for the best.

1 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

2 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

3 consulates   

n.领事馆( consulate的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Consulates General of The People's Republic at Los Angeles. 中华人民共和国驻洛杉矶总领事馆。 来自互联网
• The country's embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions stationed in other countries. （七）家驻外使馆、馆和其他外交代表机构。 来自互联网

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 persistent   

adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的

参考例句：

• Albert had a persistent headache that lasted for three days.艾伯特连续头痛了三天。
• She felt embarrassed by his persistent attentions.他不时地向她大献殷勤，使她很难为情。

6 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。

7 imprisoned   

下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He was imprisoned for two concurrent terms of 30 months and 18 months. 他被判处30个月和18个月的监禁，合并执行。
• They were imprisoned for possession of drugs. 他们因拥有毒品而被监禁。

8 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。