國發會與ICRT共同製播的時事英語廣播“The World in Brief”固定於每周三在雙語資源網更新，與大家一起聽時事學英文。

本周主題：2024印度大選 The 2024 India Elections

印度為現今人口最多的國家，其中擁有投票權的選民就佔了將近10億人，因此印度選許委員會(Election Commission of India)的代表們需要乘船、搭直升機、騎馬等翻山越嶺來收集選民們的選票。現擔任印度總理的納倫德拉·莫迪(Narendra Modi)代表印度人民黨(BJP)進行參選，其最大的對手為印度國民大會黨(Indian National Congress)的領袖拉胡爾·甘地(Rahul Gandhi)。今(2024)年的選期從4月19日到6月1日，而選舉結果則預計於6月4日公布。想知道更多嗎？讓我們用3分鐘一起跟著主持人了解更多吧！

您喜歡這則時事英語廣播嗎?進入表單與我們分享您對The World in Brief的喜好與看法吧！

 

Transcript

Voice: You’re listening to the World in Brief …

Crowd: … On tour! 

Sharon: ‘Dear ICRT, in the world’s biggest election year, where will the world’s biggest election be?’

Host: Sharon in Sanxia’s prepping for a period of politics unlike any other. Let’s go! Host: We’ve arrived! It’s hot here … Where are we? There’s no sign of life anywhere. I can see tall trees, long grass, and a flowing river … there are a few animals too, but no people. How can we talk about politics without people?*gasp!* Oh wow! A little pride of lions! Hello, cuties! Where’s your mommy? *gulp!* Never mind …

Expert: Hey, you there! Are you OK?

Host: You’re kidding, right?!

Expert: Stay there, don’t move! We’re coming!

Host: Hurry!

Expert: Hey! Get out! Yah! Go on! Move it!

Host: *exhale* Oh my days!

Expert: Are you alright?

Host: No! Wait … are you on an elephant?

Expert: I am! It’s the best way to get here, I think, to Gir Forest National Park. This place is so remote.

Host: Gir Forest? So, this must be India. I didn’t know there were lions here!

Expert: Those were Asiatic lions. You’re lucky we showed up in time!

Host: I’m very lucky! What brings you guys here?

Expert: We work for the Election Commission of India. We’re setting up a polling station, for the upcoming general election.

Host: Really? What for?

Expert: For any locals here, of course. They have a right to vote too, everyone does. We at the ECI have to transport our trusty voting machines to all sorts of faraway places. We go up mountains, over choppy waters, and deep into jungles. We use boats, helicopters, and horses too … It’s quite an adventure!

Host: I’m sure! Isn’t India the most populous country in the world?

Expert: That’s right. We have around 1.4 billion people living here. And, with close to a billion voters, this year’s election will be the biggest in history!

Host: I wanted to ask you that! Thanks! I’ll have to remember to tell Sharon in Sanxia … Will you be voting too this year?

Expert: Yes, but I don’t know who for yet. Narendra Modi is running again, for the BJP. He’s our current Prime Minister. His main challenger is Rahul Gandhi, the top leader of the Indian National Congress. Most polls are putting the BJP in the lead, but politics is famously fickle! We still have a long way to go …

Host: What day is your election happening?

Expert: Oh, it takes a lot longer than just one day here! India is such a huge place, we have to conduct our elections in phases. This year’s election will run for nearly two months! From April 19^th all the way to June 1^st.

Host: Wow! That’s so different from Taiwan’s elections. We’re able to collect and count everyone’s votes in just one day.

Expert: Just counting all the votes takes another three days! This year’s results are expected to arrive on June 4^th.

Host: Exciting times! Thanks so much, and good luck with the elections! Bye now! 

 

Vocabulary

polling 投票的 (adj.)

In India, there must be a polling station within two kilometers of a voter’s home, so one million polling stations, 15 million workers, and 300,000 security personnel are needed.

 

upcoming 即將來臨的 (adj.)

The huge voting blocs of young people, concerned about high unemployment rates and inflation, and farmers, struggling with rising debt, will influence the upcoming election. 

 

faraway 遙遠的，遠方的 (adj.)

The Election Commission of India provides voting access to all; in the last election, five intrepid election workers trekked to one faraway voter deep in Gir Forest National Park. 

 

poll 民意測驗，民調 (n.)

As India’s 2024 general election approaches, opinion polls are being conducted on party or party alliance preferences to gauge vote shares and seat outcomes. 

 

run for office/election/president/etc. 競選 (idiom)

In India, over 8,000 people from one of over 2,000 registered political parties ran for one of the 543 lower house parliamentary seats that represent geographic constituencies in 2019.