Astrid Felicia Lim, Jakarta – The elections in Aceh will not be delayed, but its implementation will be dependent on the security situation. There are fears however that the elections in Aceh will not be conducted in a democratic manner.

This view was put forward by National Elections Commission (KPU) member Mulyana W. Kusumah in a discussion titled “Elections in Conflict Areas” at the Hotel Sari Pan Pacific in Central Jakarta on Tuesday March 26.

“With regard to preparations for the elections in Aceh, it is just the same as in other parts of the country. But in determining the location of polling stations [we] must work jointly with the military because it [has] to be in accordance with the security situation in each area”, said Kusumah.

He added that secondary elections would not be held in Aceh except if on Day 5 there are areas which have not yet received election logistics. “If that occurs, the KPU will immediately put together a decree on a secondary election. But in formulating this decree the KPU will consult with the Constitutional Court so that no legal problems occur”, he continued.

At the same occasion meanwhile, the director of Indonesian Human Rights Watch (Imparsial), Rachland Nasidik, stated that he believes that in legal terms the elections in Aceh will be legitimate. However he is convinced that the elections will not be run democratically, bearing in mind the contradictions which exist under a state of martial law.

“At the moment in Aceh there is a situation were there is a disaccord between voter’s rights to participate in the elections and their legal rights which are being restricted by the military authorities”, said Rachland.

Rachland also predicted that the majority of voters in Aceh will vote for parties which are campaigning for the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia or parties which are close to the military. This is bearing in mind the pressure which the public is coming under from the military. (ani)

[Translated by James Balowski.]