Markus Junianto Sihaloho – The Democratic Party congress began on Friday as tensions grew between rival can didates for the chairmanship, with both Anas Urbaningrum and Andi Mallarangeng claiming to have the bulk of regional support to lead the president's party.

Speaking at a news conference at conference venue Bumi Parahyangan Housing Complex in Padalarang, West Java, Anas slammed the idea that the chairman should be elected by acclamation, an idea aired by Andi's camp.

"Acclamation is a method used when there is only one candidate," Anas said, "so when there is more than one, we must be brave enough to have a vote."

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono opened the congress on Friday night before an audience that included Golkar Party chairman Aburizal Bakrie and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Rajasa, who is also chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN). Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Taufik Kiemas, from the opposition Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), was also present.

During the opening, Yudhoyono called for greater cooperation and harmony among the country's political forces – and also within the party he founded. "A brighter future does not fall down from the sky," the president said. "If we want to move forward, then we must be one in working together."

Yudhoyono warned the 1,200 participants at the congress to keep their emotions in check during the deliberations for the chairmanship.

"I want all cadres to maintain the dignity of our party," he said. "Not matter how tough the competition is, do not cross the line. Stay away from money politics and violence. We must balance competition with cooperation," he added.

The three men seeking to lead the party – House of Representatives Speaker Marzuki Alie is the third – will settle the race this weekend during a meeting that will take place mostly behind closed doors after a ruling by the party steering committee banned the public and media from deliberations.

There has also been a controversy with the proposed use of electronic voting during the congress, another idea pushed by Andi and disputed by Anas. "If e-voting is eventually used, then fairness must be guaranteed," Anas said. "There should be an independent team to audit the process."

There were also rumors floating about throughout the day that Yudhoyono summoned the two rivals and told Anas to take a step back so as to cool down the tension. Both candidates denied the rumors. "I was not summoned by the president," Andi said.

Meanwhile, Marzuki said that he was ready to confront anyone trying to keep him from the race for the party's top job.

There were scuffles outside the venue, where some delegates were barred from entering because they did not have the proper identification cards. Even Anas exchanged words with security personnel outside.

Sefnat Rumbewas, chairman of the regional Democratic Party branch office in Biak Numfor, Papua, said that he was forbidden entery because he could not produce his identity card. "The organizational committee, until now, has not given us the ID card," he said.

Marzuki said the strict rules for entry might have been a political move designed to keep his supporters from entering the congress venue.

"I will not stand for such unfairness," he said. Marzuki said that he had signed a political contract with representatives of 22 provincial boards and 282 district boards, who had all pledged to support his candidacy for chairman. "In the contract, we agreed we must help each other," he said.

The congress will on Saturday settle voting rules and other party issues, and then elect a new chairman on Sunday. Sitting Democratic Party chairman Hadi Utomo will formally hand over the baton to his successor after the vote.