Banda Aceh – Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi inaugurated newly elected Aceh Governor Zaini Abdullah and his deputy, Muzakir Manaf, at a ceremony here on Monday.

The swearing-in was held in conjunction with the Monday plenary session of the Aceh Legislative Council (DPRA) and was attended by some 6,000 guests, including members of the DPRA.

Also among the attendees were Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto and the founder of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), Prabowo Subianto. The ceremony marked the beginning of Zaini-Muzakir's term, which will last until 2017.

Aceh's Independent Election Commission (KIP) declared Zaini-Muzakir the winner of the April 9 Aceh gubernatorial election. The ticket is backed by the Aceh Party, a local party founded by former rebels of the now-defunct Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

Zaini-Muzakir secured some 1.3 million votes, or 55.75 percent of the total ballots cast on voting day, defeating then-incumbent Irwandi Yusuf and his running mate Muhyan Yunan, who collected only 29.18 percent of the votes.

Muhammad Nazar and his running mate Nova Iriansyah finished third with 7.65 percent of votes cast. (Antara/JG)