Acehnese shun the general election

Text and photos by Arief Suhardiman S.

LHOKSEUMAWE, Aceh (JP): Monday's general election, which is being called the nation's first free vote in 44 years, saw a different response in Aceh than the rest of the country.

Three regencies in particular, Pidie, North Aceh and East Aceh, have been the most affected by a decade of anti-separatist operations in which the military has been accused of widespread human rights abuses.

Instead of noisy campaigns by political party followers as seen in other big cities in Java, the three regencies were deserted over the campaign period.

There were political party posters, but far fewer than those calling for a referendum. These posters can not only be seen along the streets, but also on the walls of houses.

Many Acehnese have expressed skepticism that the elections would bring them any change, saying the polls were only for "the people in Jakarta".

Lhokseumawe, North Aceh and Pidie were deserted, as most people have fled the areas to save themselves from expected violence during the elections.

What worried them most was the potential of clashes between military officers and members of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM). The military has accused the group of being responsible for recent attacks and to have intimidated residents to boycott the elections in the province. The accusations were flatly denied by GAM leaders.

During Monday's elections, the Acehnese who did not flee, and chose to stay at their homes, could be occasionally seen taking a look at the situation outside.

In Lhokseumawe, the polling places were heavily guarded, while only a small number of people, mostly the wives of local officials or military officers, showed up to vote.

"I just want to exercise my rights as an Indonesian citizen," said a woman, a native of Sulawesi, at the Sudirman Square polling station on voting day.

Refugees at Ulee Glee were otherwise occupied on Monday. "We don't want an election, we want a referendum, we want a free Aceh," one of the refugees said.

"I'd rather be shot dead than go to the polling station," said one man in response to a military officer's call, from an armored vehicle, assuring people they were safe to vote.