Nani Afrida, Banda Aceh – Campaigning for the landmark Dec. 11 elections in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam kicked off Friday after gubernatorial candidates pledged to campaign peacefully in the polls seen as key to cementing a peace deal in the tsunami-devastated province.

However, there was little sign of political activity in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh, with residents going about their daily routines.

"Is it true the (official) campaign period started today? It's been quiet since morning," said Nyak Umi, a 59-year-old fruit seller in Peunayong market said.

The elderly woman had expected to see candidates' supporters parading down streets like they did during the 2004 presidential and legislative polls.

The campaign period will last until Dec. 7 when there will be a three-day cooling-off period before Aceh people vote on Dec. 11.

Eight pairs of candidates, including two running on independent tickets, will compete in elections for the province's governor. Regional elections will also be held simultaneously to pick 19 regents and mayors for the province, which lost more than 130,000 people in the tsunami.

At the center of Banda Aceh, walls and bridges are covered with banners, posters and stickers promoting candidates.

A sugarcane juice seller working there, Mahdan, said he had no plan to join any campaign. "I have to work to earn money for my family. If I get money to join a campaign, I'll do it," he said.

However, Mahdan said he would not miss his chance to vote, although he had not chosen a candidate yet. "Is there any candidate that pays attention to poor people like me?" Mahdan said.

The Independent Elections Commission in Aceh has scheduled candidates' outdoor campaigns for the Blang Padang field in Banda Aceh.

On Friday, that field was deserted, although it had been booked by gubernatorial candidate Tamlicha Ali and his running mate, Harmen Nuriqmar.

Instead, the governor hopefuls gathered in the Dayan Dawod building at the Syiah Kuala University where they delivered campaign speeches to Aceh council members.

Based on the commission's data, about 2.63 million people are eligible to vote in the province, with the largest number of voters recorded in the Pidie and Bireun regencies, with 314,796 and 305,652 people respectively.

The police will deploy more than 10,000 officers to secure the province during the campaign period, with an additional 3,000-strong force coming from the North Sumatra Police and the military.

Speaking late Thursday after gubernatorial candidates signed a declaration to campaign fairly and peacefully, Home Minister M. Ma'ruf said it was the government's hope "that whoever wins, they will bring peace and prosperity to Aceh".