VOA标准英语2008年-African Observer: Zimbabweans Voted in Fear, De

The head of an African Observer Mission to Zimbabwe says voter turnout was low in Friday's presidential runoff election and that many voted out of fear. VOA'S Delia Robertson reports from our southern Africa bureau in Johannesburg, the vote count is under way in the election in which the only candidate was President Robert Mugabe.
　
A man takes time to look at some Friday results of the Presidential run-off election, outside a polling station in Harare, 28 June 2008

Marwick Khumalo, the head of the Pan-African Parliament's observer mission, says many Zimbabweans voted out of fear Friday, determined¹ to get the identifying indelible ink on their little fingers that showed they had voted.

The Associated Press reports that Khumalo said there was a great deal of intimidation² for people to vote and that voters hoped the ink would protect them from "the hooligans."

He said even though Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew from the runoff, many people said they voted for him anyway. Others, he said, defaced their ballot³ papers.

The state media reported a very high voter turnout. The Herald⁴ newspaper said that a "massive" turnout was a slap in the face for critics of the poll.

But Khumalo and other observers says the turnout was very low, such as one polling station in the second city Bulawayo, where there were 22 votes for Mr. Mugabe, 14 for Tsvangirai and 12 defaced papers.

In March, there were at least 300 votes cast in that polling station. Similar reports have come even from areas, which up until the March election, were considered traditional areas of support for Mr. Mugabe.

Late Friday the United Nations Security Council stopped short of calling the election illegitimate at the insistence⁵ of South Africa. Instead the body said conditions for free and fair elections did not exist and that it was a matter of deep regret they had been held.
　
President of S. Africa's ruling party African National Congress, Jacob Zuma

Speaking at a business dinner in Johannesburg, African National Congress President Jacob Zuma argued that finding a political solution in Zimbabwe was more important that criticizing events there.

"If countries ill treat their citizens, then their citizens would do a number of things and it will impact on the neighbors and I don't think we want that situation. That's why we are calling for a political arrangement that must help solve the situation in Zimbabwe for the good of all of us," he said.

African Union Foreign Ministers meeting in Egypt ahead of Monday's summit, said international leaders should push for Mr. Mugabe and Tsvangirai to talk to each other.

 

1 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

2 intimidation   

n.恐吓，威胁

参考例句：

• The Opposition alleged voter intimidation by the army.反对党声称投票者受到军方的恐吓。
• The gang silenced witnesses by intimidation.恶帮用恐吓的手段使得证人不敢说话。

3 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。

4 herald   

vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎

参考例句：

• In England, the cuckoo is the herald of spring.在英国杜鹃鸟是报春的使者。
• Dawn is the herald of day.曙光是白昼的先驱。

5 insistence   

n.坚持；强调；坚决主张

参考例句：

• They were united in their insistence that she should go to college.他们一致坚持她应上大学。
• His insistence upon strict obedience is correct.他坚持绝对服从是对的。