10th Nov 2017-The Hindu Editorial -Vocabulary

A legal challenge to the presidential election could extend the political crisis.

With a petition filed in Kenya’s Supreme Court against the October 26 rerun of the presidential election, the country risks an intensification of political turmoil. The challenge is the second since the initial elections in August, which were overturned on grounds of alleged discrepancies in tabulation at the polling stations and the computer systems. That unprecedented ruling in September was widely hailed as an exemplar of judicial independence. Since then, President Uhuru Kenyatta has rammed through legislation that circumscribes the authority of the electoral mechanism and legal scrutiny of polls. The sense of intimidation was palpable when most of the judges failed to show up to hear a plea for the postponement of the vote. The outcome of the latest legal challenge is therefore far from certain. If the judges again decide not to uphold the latest victory for the incumbent, the absence of a genuine contest could prove to be a critical factor. The opposition leader, Raila Odinga, had withdrawn from the second race in protest against the new legislation and the lack of material improvement on the ground. Days before the October election, the election commission lost the services of top officials, with one fleeing the country saying she feared for her life. Such a turn of events came as a chilling reminder of the mysterious death of a high functionary of the electoral body just before the elections in August. Moreover, there was considerable scepticism over the credibility of the October vote, as a large-scale revamp of the electoral system was seen to be impossible within that timeframe.

This is why there is speculation that the court may see merit in the petitioner’s claim that the polls were anything but free and fair. Both Mr. Kenyatta and Mr. Odinga bear much moral responsibility for the current stalemate and the violence. It is time they negotiated a lasting settlement to restore credibility to Kenya’s democracy. That requires them, especially Mr. Kenyatta, to play by the rules laid down under the 2010 constitution, which provides for greater devolution of powers. Above all, there needs to be an end to the near- monopoly of power enjoyed by the Kikuyu and the Kalenjin ethnic communities since the country’s freedom from colonial rule. Memories of the killing of hundreds in the aftermath of the 2007 elections should underscore the urgency of bringing the current fluid situation within control. For its part, the African Union must exert political pressure on Kenya’s two veteran politicians to prevent the escalation of the crisis beyond Kenya’s borders. This week the government lowered the forecast for GDP growth to below 5%, with analysts blaming the political crisis for the negative sentiment. The social cost of this upheaval would be incalculable. Strengthening the election mechanism against political interference would be an important first step.

 

1. TURMOIL < TR/MOI/ L >

 [Noun]

 Meaningà                         A  state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty.

Synà                                    Confusion , turbulence , commotion , agitation ,tumult    

 Antonymsà          Calm , [pronounced as <KAAM>],Order, Composure ,Contentment

 Exampleà             "the country was in turmoil"

  

2. UNPRECEDENTED  < UN/ PRAE/ SI /DEN/TED  >

Adjective                   

 Meaningà               Ever done or known before.

 Synà                         Unparalleled , Unequalled ,Unmatched ,Unrivalled , Without parallel

Antonym-à              Normal , Common

 Exampleà               “Tthe government took the unprecedented step of releasing confidential   correspondence"

3. RAMMED < RAE / M / D  >

[Verb = past tense: rammed]

Meaningà  roughly force (something) into place ,

 Synà , Thrust, Plunge ,Force Push, Sink, Dig, Stick, Cram, Jam            

 Antonymsà Aid ,Assit , Halt , Retreat

 Exampleà  he rammed his sword back into its sheath"

           

4. CIRCUMSCRIBES < SIR/ KM/ S /KRI /B/D  >

[Verb=3rd person present: circumscribes]

 Meaningà             Restrict (something) within limits

 Synà                       Restrict,Limit, Set/Impose limits on ,Crub ,Confine ,Keep within bounds

 Antonymsà          Allow  , Assist , Free , Help , Let go            

 Exampleà             "The minister's powers are circumscribed both by tradition and the   organization of local government        

 5. SCRUTINY < SCRU /TEE/ NEE >

 [Noun]

Meaningà              Critical observation or examination.

 Synà                       Careful , Examination , Inspection , Survey , Perusal ,Study  , Scan                   

 Antonymsà         Glance, Glimpse, Peek, Peep, Sight           

 Exampleà                          Every aspect of local government was placed under scrutiny"

             

 6. INTIMIDATION <  IN / TEE / MEE /DAE / SH / N >

 [Noun]

 Meaning à           Frighten or overawe (someone), especially in order to make them do what  one wants,  [ Here ]= the action of intimidating someone.  

 Synà                       Cowing , Menacing ,Terrifying , Scaring , Alarming.

 Antonymsà          Encourage , Assure ,Calm , Comfort , Embolden

 Exampleà                   "The intimidation of witnesses and jurors"

7. PALPABLE <  PAEL /PAE /B /L  >

[Adjective]

Meaningà          (Of a feeling or atmosphere) so intense as to seem almost tangible.

Exampleà               "A palpable sense of loss"

Synà                Visible , Notable , Perceptible , Perceivable , Noticeable , Appreciable ,   Arresting , Believable     

Antonymsà        Ambiguous , concealed , doubtful , dubious , hidden , imperceptible

           

8. INCUMBENT < IN /KM/BENT >

[Noun]

Meaning à             The holder of an office or post.

Exampleà               "The present incumbent will soon be retiring           

Synà                                    Holder , Bearer , Occupant , , Functionary, Official                        

Antonymsà           Noncurrent 

9. SCEPTICISM < SEP/ TEE/ SI /SM  >

[Noun]

Meaningà  Doubt as to the truth of something.

Synà                        Dubiousness, Inynicism, Distrust, mistrust, suspicion, misbelief, incredulity; 

Pessimism,

Exampleà "These claims were treated with scepticism"

Antonymà Belief , Certainty , Sureness

            

10. ESCALATION < ES /K / LAY /SH/ N  >

 [Noun]

 Meaningà             a rapid increase; a rise.

 Exampleà             "cost escalations"

 Synà                       Upsurge , Exacerbation Expansion , Mushrooming ,  Upswing , Growth  Jump

 Antonym à           Plunge , Relaxation