VOA标准英语2010年-Togo Prepares to Vote in Presidential

Togo is preparing to go to the polls in Thursday's presidential election, widely seen as a test of its democratic process.  In the last election in 2005, a highly-contested vote resulted in violence that left hundreds dead and displaced tens of thousands.

This time around, the security forces were called to vote three days early, in order to be a reassuring¹ and present force on polling day.

Current President Faure Gnassingbe knows the drama of 2005 better than most. He was handed power after the death of his father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled for nearly 40 years. After a public outcry, he went on to win the 2005 presidential vote. He is campaigning for re-election this year.

As campaigning in the capital Lomé drew to a close, he urged voters to remain calm.

He encouraged voters to keep the peace on polling day and during the vote-counting period.

The 43-year old is up against six candidates in Thursday's race, including Yawovi Agboyibo of the Action Committee for Renewal² party. He told VOA that he hopes 2010 will mark a new, hopeful era for Togolese politics.

Female frontrunner Brigitte Adjamagbo-Johnson is the first ever woman to run for president in Togo. She has promised to fight for women's rights as well as improved access to health care, electricity and drinking water. She has also spoken widely about her unexpected support among male voters, particularly in rural areas where men traditionally assume leadership roles.

Though some of the candidates have expressed concerns about the transparency of Thursday's vote, analysts³ say this is a chance for Togo to prove to the world that it is capable of democracy.

United Nations spokesperson Martin Nesirky urged all involved in the elections to ensure that the vote is as free and fair as possible.

"The Secretary General calls on all political leaders and institutions and calls on all leaders and institutions to ensure that the election is credible⁴ and peaceful and reflects the will of the people of Togo," Nesirky said.

Togo's only democratic election to date is the parliamentary poll of 2007.

Missions from the European Union and the 15-member Economic Community of West African States are on the ground in Togo to help ensure that Thursday's vote goes smoothly⁵.
 

1 reassuring   

a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的

参考例句：

• He gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. 他轻拍了一下她的肩膀让她放心。
• With a reassuring pat on her arm, he left. 他鼓励地拍了拍她的手臂就离开了。

2 renewal   

adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来

参考例句：

• Her contract is coming up for renewal in the autumn.她的合同秋天就应该续签了。
• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。

3 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。

4 credible   

adj.可信任的，可靠的

参考例句：

• The news report is hardly credible.这则新闻报道令人难以置信。
• Is there a credible alternative to the nuclear deterrent?是否有可以取代核威慑力量的可靠办法？

5 smoothly   

adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地

参考例句：

• The workmen are very cooperative,so the work goes on smoothly.工人们十分合作，所以工作进展顺利。
• Just change one or two words and the sentence will read smoothly.这句话只要动一两个字就顺了。