Jakarta – A former rebel whose wife is contesting regional elections in Indonesia's Aceh province has been fatally shot, raising fears the April polls could descend into violence, police and party officials said Friday.

Tengku Syamsuddin, a spokesman for the former rebels, said assailants gunned down Taufik, the local head of the rebel-founded Aceh Party, at his home Thursday.

Taufik, who like many Indonesian goes by a single name, was shot five times in the chest, he said. Police were still investigating and did not announce any suspects.

Syamsuddin urged authorities to quickly find the perpetrators to create "a smooth and peaceful environment" ahead of the elections.

The motive for the shooting was unclear. It followed two grenade attacks on Aceh Party offices in recent weeks in which no one was hurt.

Indonesia holds general elections on April 9 to pick members of national and regional legislatures. Taufik's wife is seeking a regional seat for the Aceh Party.

Aceh has been relatively calm since the government signed a peace deal with separatists in 2005, ending a 29-year rebellion in which more than 15,000 people died.