Banda Aceh – Vice President Jusuf Kalla says he opposes the inclusion of a clause in the bill on governance in Aceh that would allow independent candidates to run for public posts.

Kalla insisted Sunday the issue of independent political candidates was not specifically dealt with in the peace deal the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement signed in Helsinki last year.

"The peace agreement allows the Acehnese extensive political participation, but there is no specific clause that guarantees independent candidates the right to contest direct elections," Kalla said during a meeting with senior Acehnese leaders.

Independent candidates was proposed by the Aceh provincial legislative council. The bill on governance in Aceh has been submitted by the government to the House of Representatives in Jakarta for deliberation.

"People in Aceh do not need to worry the future law (on governance in Aceh) will deviate from the Helsinki agreement," Kalla said as quoted by Antara news agency.