On last Monday, voters in Aceh went to the polls to elect a governor, a deputy governor and 17 mayors and regents. It was only the second gubernatorial election in the province since the peace accord between the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist insurgency was signed in 2005.
On Tuesday, one contender – former governor Irwandi Yusuf, whose term expired in February before delays prompted the poll to be postponed – said he would file a complaint alleging electoral fraud with the Constitutional Court. Unofficial quick counts named Irwandi's rival and former GAM foreign minister Zaini Abdullah as the winner. Nani Afrida of The Jakarta Post filed the following reports.
Reconciliation will be priority of the election's eventual victor; during the campaign, all candidates pledged to pursue peace in this former land of war and destruction.
A day after a peaceful election day, a magnitude-8.5 earthquake jolted the province, evoking memories of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2004. Thankfully, frightened people in Aceh had nothing to fear.
The months before the voting were colored by apprehension; the assailants who killed innocent bystanders and election supporters remain unknown. Residents have been especially worried since the main contenders for governor and their respective supporters were members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
Along with the mysterious violent incidents, a protracted legal battle involving the contending parties delayed the election four times.
The Supreme Court finally ruled that Irwandi Yusuf could run on an independent ticket, despite a lawsuit from the Aceh Party that said that this violated the Aceh Governance Law, which allowed independent candidates to run only in the province's first local elections after the Helsinki agreement. Irwandi sailed into the campaign with confidence, relying on his record as the first governor after the war and the 2004 disaster, and popular programs like free health services.
However, hours after voting on Monday, an unofficial quick count by the Indonesian Public Image (CPI) and the Indonesian Survey Circle (LSI) named Zaini Abdullah as the winner with 54.15 percent of the vote. Irwandi was second with 30.05 percent. Another quick count by the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) had higher results for Zaini, with 55.68 percent and lower figures for Irwandi, with 28.58 percent.
While the official results are expected next week, Irwandi immediately declared plans to challenge the results with the Constitutional Court, suggesting that his rivals, mainly the Aceh Party, which nominated Zaini and running mate Muzakir Manaf, GAM's last commander, were involved in foul play.
Some voters expressed disappointment, with one saying that a government dominated by former GAM members may fare worse than an administration run by Irwandi. His former deputy was a popular student activist and his current running mate, Muhyan Yunan, has experience in government as head of a local public works agency.
Nevertheless, Zaini, a GAM negotiator during the talks that resulted in the Helsinki agreement, said if he became governor he would focus on peace and prosperity in Aceh. Unemployment remains high among former freedom fighters. Recent violence raised suspicions that many of them retained their pistols and rifles in contravention of what was decided in Helsinki
"Maintaining peace and security are our utmost goals... I plan to forge a reconciliation with the defeated parties so that they can also contribute to Aceh's development," Zaini told The Jakarta Post. The appeal of his nomination relied on a combination of support from the older generation of GAM and the younger generation of Achenese represented by Muzakir.
"I voted for them because I know Zaini will reunite all Acehnese who are now divided due to different interests," Teungku Cut Kafrawi, a former spokesperson of GAM in Peureulak, East Aceh, said. "Zaini is wise and has experience. He will think longer before taking certain action," Teungku added.
GAM's elite and its rank-and-file members parted ways in 2006, supporting different candidates in the governor's race. Former fighters voted for Irwandi, saying that the former intelligence chief, though from the elite, had experience in battle that they respected. However, Irwandi failed to bridge the gap between the factions.
In several interviews, Irwandi said that he tried to invite those candidates who lost in the 2006 election to join, but they seemed hesitant. "Irwandi is busy with money and himself. We hope Zaini will accommodate the Acehnese people better," Taufik, a former combatant, said, adding that there was much to be done to implement the Helsinki accords.
Some sources were reluctant to mention basic issues, such as the integration of former freedom fighters into society, instead mentioning unresolved symbolic issues, such as the provincial flag, hymn and mascot. "We gave enough time to Irwandi. Now let's appoint a new leader. If Zaini fails to realize the [accord] like Irwandi, we will select another new leader," Taufik said.
Another resident, Abdurrahman Hasan, 34, from Nisam, North Aceh, said he was pragmatic about the election. "I want the election process to finish soon. If we don't vote for Zaini, we might be in trouble as this district was a former GAM stronghold," he said. "We're voting for the best candidate who can maintain peace," he said.
A peace might be achieved between Zaini, the acting governor and the Aceh Legislative Council, currently headed by his brother, Hasbi Abdullah. Hasbi's party occupies 33 seats of the council, as well as on the councils of several regencies such as Pidie, North Aceh, East Aceh and Bireuen.
This year, the Aceh Legislative Council is prioritizing consideration of 21 local regulations (qanun), including those related to implementing the Helsinki accord.
It was reported that Irwandi had refused to sign three bylaws: One that would have declared the late leader of Aceh's independence movement, Hasan Tiro, the province's eternal guardian; a regulation allowing execution by stoning for convicted adulterers and a third regulation on local elections. Irwandi's resistance created much tension between the council and Irwandi.
T. Kemal Pasya, an expert on Aceh, said the relations with the council would improve if Zaini became governor. "The rumor about nepotism is not suitable for this case, because both Zaini and Hasbi were elected by the people," Kemal said.
Other legislative parties at the provincial and local level, such as the Democratic Party, the United Development Party (PPP), the National Mandate Party (PAN), and the Golkar Party, can provide as checks and balances despite the Aceh Party's dominance of local legislature, he said.
The ability of the election winner to bring about peace and clean governance is therefore vital to outsiders, apart from residents.
"Clean and good governance will reduce illegal levies for investors," Zaini said. Trust building, he added, "is necessary to attract investors."