Governor Machmud pessimistic about elections in Aceh

Governor Machmud pessimistic about elections in Aceh

JAKARTA (JP): Aceh Governor Syamsuddin Machmud was pessimistic
that local elections in three troubled regencies in Aceh could be
held even though they were not due for another six months.

"I'm pessimistic the planned elections can be held in those
three regencies," he said in a meeting with the Local Election
Committee (PPL) here on Monday.

"Quite frankly, the situation at present in North Aceh,
Beureun and Pidie is similar to that before the June 7 general
election, but conditions on the Seumeleu Islands is relatively
secure and conducive".

The General Election Commission (KPU) is making preparations
for local elections in several newly-developed provinces and
regencies to establish their provincial and regency legislative
councils.

Followup elections in 33 regencies and mayoralties across the
country's three new provinces will be held simultaneously on June
10 next year.

The government created three new provinces -- North Maluku,
Central Irian Jaya and East Irian Jaya -- and 31 new regencies
and mayoralties through Laws No. 45 to No. 55, enacted in the
final month of B.J. Habibie's administration in October.

The new regencies include the Seumeleu Islands and Biereuen in
Aceh.

Elections will also be held in two other Aceh regencies of
Pidie and North Aceh, whose people failed to go to the polls on
the June 7 general election day due to security concerns.

With the application of grater provincial autonomy, regional
councils will carry greater weight.

New provincial legislators, for example, are scheduled to
elect new governors in the new provinces and new regents in the
new regencies weeks after the local elections.

The followup elections are expected to cost the state more
than Rp 200 billion.

Aceh and Maluku have been the scenes of almost incessant
violence and killings, reported almost every day.

Committee Chairman Rudini said the commission would not
forcefully hold local elections if the situation in the region
was not conducive.

"It will depend on the government and security authorities
whether local elections can be held in the troubled regencies,"
he said, citing security conditions in North Maluku as also being
questionable.

Given such circumstances, it is possible that the local
elections will not be held simultaneously in all the regions.

"There's no problem for us if local elections cannot be held
on the same date. We will report these hurdles to the President
who is responsible for the elections," Rudini said.

One other obstacle is the geographic location of several
regencies which are difficult to reach.

Committee chairman Agus Mifthah said the local election
committee had decided to adopt the electoral code of ethics which
was employed during the last general election with one key
additional ruling.

"All government officials and election committee staff will be
barred from campaigning for their parties. This ruling has to be
enforced to ensure the fairness of the elections," he said. (rms)