Aceh Records Highest Violence Ahead of Election:

Aceh province has the highest record of violence ahead of the regional election 2017, with 26 incidents in some districts, the Association for Elections and Democracy (Perludem) said here on Thursday.

“If we consider the dynamics of simultaneous regional election, Aceh has become a region with the highest violence recorded, with 26 cases reported in East Aceh, North Aceh and Pidie districts,” the Executive Director of Perludem Titi Anggraini said at the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) office here on Thursday.

The report has mentioned only incidents of physical violence, such as vandalism on campaign props, shooting and grenade attack, but it has not included incidents of psychological violence, intimidation and threats.

“Although the incidents happened locally, the case has been linked to provincial elections. In some cases, the violence has been linked to both provincial and district level elections,” Titi noted.

Perludem has called on the police and Bawaslu to take legal measures against the perpetrators of the violence.

“These cases have proven true the predictions of Bawaslu that Aceh would become the most volatile region during the regional election 2017,” she added.

The simultaneous regional election is scheduled to be held on Feb 15 in 101 regional administrations, which include seven provinces, 76 districts and 18 city administrations.

ANTARA