Aceh governor re-elected

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Syamsuddin Mahmud, 63, was re-elected yesterday as governor of Aceh for a second five-year term.

Syamsuddin received 27 of the 45 votes cast in a ballot in the provincial legislature.

Abdullah Puteh and Asnawi Hasjmy, his two rivals got 15 and two votes respectively. One vote was regarded as spoiled.

Antara reported that the election was witnessed by Director General for Public Administration and Regional Autonomy Oman Sachroni.

"From nomination process all the way to the election conducted by the provincial legislature, everything was conducted in an orderly fashion," Oman said when giving his assessment.

Born in Pidie, Aceh, on April 24, 1935, Syamsuddin has held the post of governor since 1993 when he replaced Ibrahim Hasan who was appointed state minister of agrarian affairs.