Aceh prepares for first post-peace polls
International observers have already arrived in the Indonesian province. The authorities have guaranteed that the election will go smoothly but people fear possible violence.
Aceh (AsiaNews) In Aceh, the Indonesian province tormented by years of separatist war and natural disasters, a historic date is drawing near. On 11 December, the first regional elections will be held following the Helsinki peace agreement. In August 2005, this accord put an end to 25 years of strife between the rebels of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian army.
In the ballot, the people will choose a new governor, his deputy and 19 district mayors. Jakarta has allocated a special fund of 50 million dollars to finance the political event.
The elections will be supervised by the Aceh Independent Election Committee (KIP). Indonesia's Home Minister, Mohammad Ma'aruf, said the committee will guarantee respect for the rigid rules to ensure defeated candidates did not make any allegations about fraud.
During a visit to Banda Aceh, Ma'aruf excluded the possibility that the high number of competing candidates could generate conflict. "We have taken preventive measures to limit the risk of violence between political factions," he said. For his part, the head of the Indonesian army, Djoko Suyanto, also on a visit to Aceh, pledged the army's commitment to ensuring law and order as stipulated in the Helsinki agreement.
Many NGOs said they were confident the elections, set for December, would be orderly and peaceful. Elly Sufahriady, executive director of the E-Card Community for Aceh Resources Development, said: "Learning from our previous experiences, we truly believe there will not be any more violence in Aceh and former GAM members will not violate the peace process."
But recent polls indicate the people think otherwise. A survey conducted by the International for Election Foundation System (IFES) in September and October said 55% of residents expressed concern about possible violence during the election period.
Rakesh Sharma, IFES researcher, said there were many parties involved: adherent of political parties, anti-separatist factions, security forces and former GAM members. The areas most at risk are central and south-west Aceh, as well as Gayo Luwes and Benar Meriah, where separatist movements are still present.
Anyhow, the European Union Monitoring Mission has already arrived in the province, where it will work on its own and report on violations of the agreement. Apart from international observers from the EU, Japan and ASEAN, the government and KIP have invited local agencies to monitor the sensitive date.
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