Local government elections in Aceh delayed until October
Local government elections in Aceh delayed until October
Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh
The earthquake and tsunami not only wrecked havoc to the physical
environment and lives of the people in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam,
but have also caused a delay in the local elections. The direct
regional elections, which were earlier slated to be held at the
end of May, have been postponed to the end of October due to the
natural disaster.
The elections had to be postponed as the disaster had
disrupted demographical data due to the relocation of survivors
from one regency to another. Besides that, the disaster has also
taken the lives of people in worst-hit areas like Aceh Jaya, West
Aceh, Aceh Besar and Banda Aceh.
Speaker of the Aceh Provincial Council, Sayed Fuad Zakaria,
said that the elections would be held simultaneously in 16
regencies and mayoralties in Aceh in October.
"This is based on a mutual agreement reached in a meeting with
the provincial administration, the General Elections Commission
(KPU) and Independent Election Commission (KIP) recently," said
Sayed in Banda Aceh.
The regental election will be organized simultaneously with
the gubernatorial election, when the current governor
relinquishes his post in October so that the election will be
effective and cost-efficient.
Despite being organized concurrently, election costs will be
borne by the regencies.
KIP will prepare for the elections in Aceh by forming
commissions in regencies/mayoralties consisting of members from
the KPU and the community to facilitate the elections.
The organization of elections in Aceh is unlike any other
province. Due to Aceh's special autonomy status, the committee
responsible for organizing the elections will be KIP, in line
with provincial By-law No. 2/2002. KIP members consist of
representatives from the society elected by the provincial
legislative council and the General Elections Commission (KPU).
"We have sent the governor a letter requesting that KIP
offices be established in the regencies and mayoralties," said
Sayed.
He also said that it would be more economical to organize the
elections simultaneously. Aceh KIP had earlier proposed a budget
of Rp 72 billion (approximately US$7.6 million) for the elections
in Aceh.
Despite being delayed for five months, people still have
little knowledge about the elections, especially in areas hard-
hit by the tsunami.
"What, elections? It is difficult enough just to get enough
food to eat," said Muhammad, 45, a survivor.
The Acehnese apparently have not decided on their prospective
leader as yet. People are still preoccupied with day-to-day
survival.
This problem has been recognized by KIP. "We have formed five
teams to introduce information about the elections to people in
the four regencies," said Aceh KIP chairman M. Jaffar.