Farouk Arnaz – The security situation in Aceh remains largely trouble-free as campaigning for next Monday's elections winds down this week, police said on Tuesday.
Brig. Gen. Muhammad Taufik, a National Police spokesman, said there had "only" been 17 reported incidents of violence or vandalism in the campaign period that started on March 22, ahead of polls in which the gubernatorial seat, 13 district head posts and four mayors' seats are up for grabs.
"All 17 cases are currently being investigated by the police," Taufik said. "They include reports of threats, assault, vandalism and arson."
The campaigning ends on Thursday, followed by a rest period during which all forms of campaigning are prohibited, and culminating with the elections on Monday.
Taufik said a heavy police presence was already on hand ahead of polling day, with reinforcements coming in from North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Riau.
"We've given the local police reinforcements from the Brimob [Mobile Brigade] and from other provincial police forces. They've been in Aceh since March 8," Taufik said.
He added the National Police were also providing other assistance in the form of 60 intelligence and forensics officials to help track down those suspected of involvement in a series of attacks that have marred the run-up to the polls since last October.
Nine people have been killed in those attacks since December. Four men were killed when armed men shot at a group of workers from the Setya Agung rubber plantation in North Aceh district on Dec. 4.
On the eve of the new year, an armed man fired on a group of Telkomsel workers in Bireuen district as they took a break, killing three of them. On the same day, an unidentified man shot and killed a worker at a toy store in Ulee Kareng, Banda Aceh.
On Jan. 1, five armed men opened fire on a coffee shop in North Aceh, killing one person. On Jan. 5, two armed men shot at three construction workers in Aceh Besar district, killing one.
A total of eight people have been arrested over the attacks, three of whom were reportedly former members of the now-defunct Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Police have also shot dead two suspects.