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.