Local government elections in Aceh delayed until October<\/p>\n
Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh<\/p>\n
The earthquake and tsunami not only wrecked havoc to the physical
\nenvironment and lives of the people in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam,
\nbut have also caused a delay in the local elections. The direct
\nregional elections, which were earlier slated to be held at the
\nend of May, have been postponed to the end of October due to the
\nnatural disaster.<\/p>\n
The elections had to be postponed as the disaster had
\ndisrupted demographical data due to the relocation of survivors
\nfrom one regency to another. Besides that, the disaster has also
\ntaken the lives of people in worst-hit areas like Aceh Jaya, West
\nAceh, Aceh Besar and Banda Aceh.<\/p>\n
Speaker of the Aceh Provincial Council, Sayed Fuad Zakaria,
\nsaid that the elections would be held simultaneously in 16
\nregencies and mayoralties in Aceh in October.<\/p>\n
\"This is based on a mutual agreement reached in a meeting with
\nthe provincial administration, the General Elections Commission
\n(KPU) and Independent Election Commission (KIP) recently,\" said
\nSayed in Banda Aceh.<\/p>\n
The regental election will be organized simultaneously with
\nthe gubernatorial election, when the current governor
\nrelinquishes his post in October so that the election will be
\neffective and cost-efficient.<\/p>\n
Despite being organized concurrently, election costs will be
\nborne by the regencies.<\/p>\n
KIP will prepare for the elections in Aceh by forming
\ncommissions in regencies\/mayoralties consisting of members from
\nthe KPU and the community to facilitate the elections.<\/p>\n
The organization of elections in Aceh is unlike any other
\nprovince. Due to Aceh's special autonomy status, the committee
\nresponsible for organizing the elections will be KIP, in line
\nwith provincial By-law No. 2\/2002. KIP members consist of
\nrepresentatives from the society elected by the provincial
\nlegislative council and the General Elections Commission (KPU).<\/p>\n
\"We have sent the governor a letter requesting that KIP
\noffices be established in the regencies and mayoralties,\" said
\nSayed.<\/p>\n
He also said that it would be more economical to organize the
\nelections simultaneously. Aceh KIP had earlier proposed a budget
\nof Rp 72 billion (approximately US$7.6 million) for the elections
\nin Aceh.<\/p>\n
Despite being delayed for five months, people still have
\nlittle knowledge about the elections, especially in areas hard-
\nhit by the tsunami.<\/p>\n
\"What, elections? It is difficult enough just to get enough
\nfood to eat,\" said Muhammad, 45, a survivor.<\/p>\n
The Acehnese apparently have not decided on their prospective
\nleader as yet. People are still preoccupied with day-to-day
\nsurvival.<\/p>\n
This problem has been recognized by KIP. \"We have formed five
\nteams to introduce information about the elections to people in
\nthe four regencies,\" said Aceh KIP chairman M. Jaffar.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/local-government-elections-in-aceh-delayed-until-october-1447893297",
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