Elections Observation Mission Report Aceh Gubernatorial, Mayoral and Head of Regency Election 2012 Editorial team: Ichal Supriadi and Witt A. Gatchel Layout and Cover Design: Pongsak Chanon Data & Photo Contributor: Marini Dara Cora, and ANFREL observers Supported By Generosity of Royal Norway Government Published on 20 September 2012 105 Suthisarnwinichai Road, Samsennok, Huaykwang, Bangkok 10320, Thailand Tel, (66 2) 2773627 | Fax, (66 2) 2762183 E‐mail: [email protected] | Website: http://www.anfrel.org The content of this report represents the views and findings of the Asian Network for Free Elections, an independent organization. As a result, the report's content does not reflect the view of the Royal Norwegian Government nor any of its local representatives. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ANFREL takes pride in being part of the historic elections of Aceh after years of conflict. These elections have shown to the world that meaningful change can be brought by peaceful means through the power of the ballot. They have shown further a significant role of elections as a tool of resolving conflicts, resulting in peace which is necessary for progress and development. Meaningful change has birthing pains. The wrangling of the different contending parties before the election attests to this. It has in fact caused the postponement of the election a number of times. But more important than the difficulties they faced, is the realization that there is no easy path to meaningful change towards democracy. The principal players remained faithful to the goals of their struggles – Aceh and the Acehnese. They looked forward to the benefits and blessings of democracy as they understood the responsibilities and burdens that may go with it. The eyes of the world were on Aceh during these watershed elections. Aceh became a showcase to many parts of the world that are similarly situated before the Helsinki peace covenant was signed. The challenge then to all the principal players in the political life of Aceh is to remain committed to the spirit of the Peace Covenant. Only then will Aceh be an inspiration for others in conflict areas to emulate and a model to follow. The observation mission of ANFREL was a success because of the help and support of individuals and institutions. We are grateful to the following: The caretaker governor who shared his time with us and presented to us his plans to keep the elections clean, peaceful and orderly. The Chairman of the KIP of Aceh, Drs. H. Abd Salam Poroh who readily issued our accreditation and provided us with areas of concern that observers need to take a look at to have a successful observation. The Aceh PANWASLU, Nyak Arief Fadhillah Syah for good field cooperation and Dra. Zuraida Alwi, M.Pd for taking time to present to our observers the role they play in the election. To the candidates and the leaders of the political parties that shared time with us to present their respective programs. To all the resource persons, Mr. Syaifuddin Bantasyam, and the Civil Society Organizations as they shared their time and expertise with our volunteers. The Aceh Election Observation Secretariat from Bangkok and their local counterparts for the logistical support. To all our volunteers who came to Aceh in a spirit of solidarity with the people of Aceh and for their deep commitment to the cause of free and fair elections. 1 Lastly, to the generosity of the Kingdom of Norway Government for supporting the financial requirements of the mission, without which the mission could not have been possible. My sincere wish the peace and democracy could stays forever in the Aceh land. Damaso Magbual Chairman 2 ACEH MAP Courtesy Aceh today Blogspot 3 GLOSSARY / ABBREVIATION AGAM, Angkatan Gerakan Aceh Merdeka Forces of the Free Aceh Movement, military wing of GAM. Renamed TNA (Tentara Negara Aceh) with the Stavanger Declaration in 2002 ASEAN (Asosiasi Negara Asia Tenggara) Association of Southeast Asian Nations Brimob (Brigade Mobil) Paramilitary mobile police brigade units, a special operation forces Bupati (Kepala Pemerintahan tingkat Kabupaten) Head of Administrative of rural district Camat (Kepala pemerintahan tingkat Kecamatan) Head of sub district administrative Dayah (Pesantren) Islamic boarding schools Desa / Kampung Village (in Kabupaten Administrative System) DI/TII (Dinul Islam/Tentara Islam Indonesia) The movement to create the Islamic state of Indonesia (DI), incude the Indonesian islamic army (TII) DOM Daerah Operasi Militer Military Operations Zone. Designation for Aceh during the counter- insurgency operations from May 1990 to August 1998 DPRA (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Aceh) Aceh House of Representative / Parliament DPRD Kab/Kota House of Representative at Municipal / District DPR-RI Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Republik Indonesia National Representative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia (National Parliament) DPS (Daftar Pemilih Sementara) Temporary Voter List DPT (Daftar Pemilih Tetap) Final Voter List GAM (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka) Free Aceh Movement Group. Political movement leading Aceh’s struggle for independence. Founded in 1976 Gampong District at Rural administration Kabupaten (Bupati) / Kota (Walikota) Regency (Head of district) / Municipal (Mayor) Kabupaten (Kab.) District/ Regency in rural Administration Kecamatan (Kec.) District in municipal administration Kelurahan (Kel.) Sub-district or Village in Town Area Kertas Suara Ballot Paper Keuchik Gampong at traditional aceh administration KIP (Komite Independent Pemilihan) Independent Election Commission KODAM, (Komando Daerah Militer) Military Command Area of the Military of Indonesia, oversea a provincial areas. KODIM, (Komando District Militer) District Military Command, ovesea regency areas Komnasham (Komisi National hak asasi Manusia) National Human rights Commission Kontras (Komisi Untuk Orang Hilang dan Korban The Commission for Disappearances and Victims of Violence. Tindak Kekerasan). Indonesian national human rights organization Kopassus (Komando Pasukan Khusus) Army Special Forces Kostrad (Komando Strategis Angkatan Darat) Army Strategic Reserve Command Kota Municipal at City administration Kotak suara Ballot Box Kotamadya/Kota Municipality/City KPA (Komite Peralihan Aceh) Aceh Transition Committee (Responsible for reintegrating ex-combatants into society) KPPS (Panitia Pemungutan Suara) Polling Station Staffs KPPS (Kelompok Panitia Pemungutan Suara) Polling Staff/officer KPUD Provincial elections commission KPU-RI (Komisi Pemilihan Umum Republik Indonesia General elections commission of republic of Indonesia LBH (Lembaga Bantuan Hukum) Legal Aid Foundation. Indonesian national human rights organization LINMAS (Perlindungan Masyarakat) Unarmed Security Volunteers at village level LoGA (UU Pemerintahan Aceh, Bill No 11 / 2006) Law on Governing on Aceh, Bill No 11/2006 contain set of regulation on governing Aceh in accordance, following the MoU Helsinki code. Meunasah or Mushola Small mosque usually found in villages MK (Mahkamah Konstitusi) Constitutional Court MoU Helsinki (Kesepakatan Helsinki) MoU Helsinki (Memorandum of Understanding) signed by GoI and GAM in Helsinki 2005 4 Operasi Terpadu Integrated Operation (encompassing four operations – including security recovery operations and humanitarian operations) officially launched 19 May 2003 PA (Partai Aceh) Aceh Party, the local party. PAN (Partai Amanat Nasional) National Mandate Party Panglima, Komandan Pasukan Military Commander Panwaslu (Panitia Pengawas Pemilu) Electoral Supervisory Body in Province, they are present at the level of Province/City/Regency/Gampong PD (Partai Demokrat) Democrat Party (the ruling party) PDIP (Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan) Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle Pemerintah Indonesia GoI (Government of Indonesia) Pengungsi dalam satu wilayah Internally Displaced persons PG (Partai Golongan Karya) Golkar Party PKB (Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa) National Awakening Party PKS (Partai Keadilan Sejahtera) Justice and Prosperous Party POLRI (Polisi Republik Indonesia) Indonesian Police PPK/PPG (Panitia Pemilihan Kecamatan/Gampong) Disctrict level elections committee (adhoc) PPP (Partai Persatuan Pembangunan) United Development Party PPS (Panitia Pemilihan Suara) Village lever elections committee (Ad-hoc) Qanun (Peraturan Daerah Aceh) Aceh Local Laws, Rekapitulasi Tally Process Saksi Party Witness / Observers Santri Students in Islamic Boarding School SIRA (Sentral Informasi Referendum Aceh) Aceh Referendum Information Center SMUR Solidaritas Mahasiswa untuk Rakyat Student Solidarity for the People Suku Designation for ethnic group affiliation in Aceh TNA Tentara Negara Aceh Army of the State of Aceh. Current name of the military wing of GAM TNI Tentara Nasional Indonesia. The Indonesian Armed Forces, previously ABRI (Armed Forces of the Republic of Indonesia). Renamed in the post-Suharto period. TPS (Tempat Pemungutan Suara) Polling Stations Ulama Islamic religious scholars/community Wali Naggroe Aceh Aceh Supreme Leader (Cultural & Religious) Walikota (Kepala Pemerintahan tingkat Kota) Mayor 5 CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .............................................................................................................................. 1 ACEH MAP .................................................................................................................................................. 3 GLOSSARY / ABBREVIATION ................................................................................................................... 4 TABLE AND GRAPHICS ............................................................................................................................