Hotli Simanjuntak, Banda Aceh – A local party, founded by former rebels of the Aceh Free Movement, was officially announced Monday as the winner of the 9 April legislative election, but no celebrations marked their victory.

No street convoys were conducted by supporters of the Aceh Party which secured 33 seats out of 69 seats in the Aceh Legislative Council (DPRA).

The party spokesman Adnan Beuransyah said although the party secured almost half of the total seats, the results did not satisfy the party.

"The seat allocation method caused my party to lose many seats. Many of our candidates who gained 10,000 votes failed to secure a seat, while candidates from other parties who gained only 7,000 votes secured one seat each," Adnan claimed. "But we are humble. We can accept the results of the election."

The party, which reportedly targeted to win at least 59 of the seats, actually defeated all the national parties, including the Democratic Party, Golkar, the National Mandate Party (PAN), the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the United Development Party (PPP), the National Awakening Party (PKB), the Cresecent and Star Party (PBB), the Justice and Unity Party (PKPI), Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Patriot Party.

The Democratic Party secured 10 seats, an increase from six seats in 2004. PAN won five seats, PKS four seats, PPP three seats and PKB, PBB, PKPI, PDI-P and the Patriot Party secured one seat each. Golkar's seats decreased from 12 seats in 2004 to eight seats and the PPP which won 12 seats in 2004, dropped down to only three seats.

The provincial legislative election attracted participation from 37 national parties and six local parties. The other five local parties participating were the Aceh People's Party (PRA), the Independent Voice of Aceh People's Party (SIRA), the Aceh Safe and Prosperous Party (PAAS), the United Aceh Party (PBA) and the Aceh Sovereignty Party (PDA). None of these other local parties secured seats.

Aceh Independent Election Commission (KIP) deputy chairman Ilham Syahputra said the result of the election in Aceh is considered valid although there were still complaints on possible election violations.

"Currently, there are 53 cases of election violations in Aceh which were reported to the Constitutional Court," Ilham said, adding results might be changed by the court.

He said KIP was ready to face legal actions in the court. "We have prepared a team to go to Jakarta to face legal actions in the court."