Hotli Simanjuntak, Banda Aceh – The absence of an electoral supervisory agency in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam could trigger violations in the upcoming 2009 election process and threaten stability in the area.
Accusations of violence and intimidation have marred the election campaign of a number of candidates recently, and is fueling concerns over possible interferences in the election process next year.
"If the state Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) fails to immediately approve the establishment of an Aceh Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu), we are concerned that the election will be illegitimate, and could even undermine the peace reached in Aceh," leader of the Democracy Awareness Students' Alliance, Helmi, said recently.
Helmi was speaking at a rally held at the Independent Elections Commission (KIP) and Aceh Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD).
According to students' the election process has recently been threatened by a number of violent incidents attempting to intimidate prospective voters.
Helmi says the recent bombing and arson attack of the office and residence of the Partai Aceh leader is one such example.
"Not to mention covert campaigns carried out by particular parties, such as the Partai Aceh," he said.
In areas dominated by particular parties, opposition flags have been prohibited and publicly burned, causing friction and violence among the election participants.
"There are individuals who do not want peace in Aceh," said Helmi.
Debate between Bawaslu and the Aceh legislature over administrative laws have so far held up the establishment of a Panwaslu in the region.
"As an autonomous region with its own administrative laws, we refer to the 2006 law on Aceh Administration for the establishment of a Panwaslu in Aceh," said Aceh DPRD Speaker Said Fuad Zakaria.
However, while the legislature favors using the Aceh Administration Law, Bawaslu has argued that monitoring bodies like Panwaslu should be established nationally, as expressed under the 2007 law on the General Election Implementation.
Fuad said the dispute between the Aceh legislation and Bawaslu had hindered the establishment of a Panwaslu in Aceh.
"We have conducted competency tests on prospective Panwaslu members in Aceh, but have not formed the body because the Bawaslu can not determine an outcome for the issue," said Fuad.
The legislature is currently lobbying the Bawaslu to immediately make a decision and have asked for Vice President Jusuf Kalla's recommendation on the issue.
"In principle, the vice president has agreed using the provincial law to form the Panwaslu. He has also communicated directly with the Bawaslu," said Fuad.
"We are still sticking by our decision and will call on the Aceh administrative law in order to set up the Aceh Panwaslu," said Fuad.
The Panwaslu was due to be established in June when election proceedings began.
Aceh KIP deputy head Ilham Syahputra said the disagreement between Bawaslu and the Aceh legislature was over the composition of the Aceh Panwaslu.
"According to Bawaslu, the Panwaslu formed by the Aceh legislature during the last gubernatorial election was no longer applicable," said Ilham.
He said the Aceh election process could be crippled if the Bawaslu and the Aceh legislature remained in a deadlock over the decision.
"Each party should be acting on the people's interest rather than their respective egos in order for the Aceh election to run smoothly and peacefully," said Ilham.