VOA常速英语:尼泊尔的地方选举很重要

Citizens of Nepal went to polls this month to vote in local elections for the first time since the nation became a federal democratic republic on 28 May 2008. Counting of votes for the elections held in four metropolitan cities, one sub metropolis, 92 municipalities and 186 village councils is still underway.
尼泊尔公民本月前往投票站为当地一场选举投票，这还是自从2008年5月28日尼泊尔成为一个联邦制民主共和国以来的首次。此次选举的投票统计目前仍在4个大都市、1个附属城市、92个自治区、以及186个村庄举行。

In a statement released May 16, the U.S. Embassy in Nepal said the United States recognizes the efforts of all stakeholders – including the Government of Nepal, the Election Commission of Nepal, civil society, political parties, and the citizens of Provinces 3, 4, and 6 – in conducting what appears to have been a largely peaceful and broadly supported first round of local elections in Nepal.
在5月16日发布的一份声明中，美国驻尼泊尔大使表示称，美国承认所有利益相关者的努力——包括尼泊尔政府、尼泊尔选举委员会、公民社会、各政党、以及第三、第四和第六省的公民，他们在尼泊尔举行了大体上和平且受到广泛支持的第一轮选举。

“We now urge all stakeholders to work to create the necessary conditions to ensure that the people of Provinces 1, 2, 5, and 7 are also given the same opportunity to peacefully exercise their democratic right to elect local representation during the second phase of local elections in June,” the U.S. Embassy noted, adding:
“我们敦促所有利益相关者进行合作，创造必要的条件来保障第一、第二、第五和第七省人民也能得到同样的机会——在六月份选举第二阶段中和平行使自己选举当地代表的民主权利，”美国大使如是说道，他还补充道：

“The United States strongly encourages the Government of Nepal to permit unrestricted international election observation during second phase of local elections, in order to enable the international community, including accredited diplomats, to observe and offer support to the outcomes of the election.
“美国强烈建议尼泊尔政府，在地方选举第二阶段中允许无限制的国际选举观察，从而使得国际社会，包括可信任的外交官，观察并支持选举结果。”

With less than thirty days before the next poll date, we encourage continued efforts to forge a political agreement that enables the broadest participation of voters in the phase two elections as possible for an inclusive process. This will increase the credibility of the electoral process and strengthen democratic transition across the country.
当此离下一次投票不到30天之际，我们鼓励继续努力达成政治协议，从而尽可能使得选举第二阶段选民们最广大的参与、实现包容性的程序。这会提高这一选举过程的可信度、并加强该国的民主过渡。

We call on all parties to mutually respect the freedom of peaceful expression and assembly, and individual voters’ rights as laid out in Nepal’s laws and constitution. We also call on the security forces to exercise restraint and comply with existing national and international standards when carrying out their duties.
我们呼吁各方互相尊重和平表达和集会的自由，尊重尼泊尔法律和宪法规定的选民权利。我们还呼吁安全部队在履行职责时保持克制、遵守现有的国内国际标准。

The United States remains committed to working with all stakeholders for a peaceful, inclusive, broadly-supported, and credible election process.”
美国仍然承诺和所有利益相关者合作，从而实现一个和平、包容、广泛支持和可信赖的选举过程。