Police warn against open rallies in Aceh

Police warn against open rallies in Aceh

Hotli Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh | Wed, 03/07/2012 10:39 AM


The Aceh Police have recommended campaign rallies for the upcoming gubernatorial poll be held indoors in order to minimize the risk of clashes among candidates’ supporters.

The police submitted a letter of recommendation to the Aceh Independent Election Commission (KIP), which regulates campaign processes for the election slated for April 9.

The police said campaigns would be better conducted through dialogues inside buildings and through the media instead of public rallies.

“The letter recommends and appeals to the KIP to review campaigning procedures in open areas in order to create peaceful poll,” police spokesperson Gustav Leo said in Banda Aceh on Tuesday.

Violence and intimidation have overshadowed the pre-election period and are expected to escalate as election day approaches. Outdoor rallies are believed to exacerbate already fragile security conditions as supporters from opposing political camps are more likely to come in contact with each other, with the potential for violence to erupt.

Open campaigns are also said to be prone to intimidation by people motivated to capitalize on the security condition for their political interest.

Gustav said the police also planned to invite the candidates to a meeting and have the candidates declare their commitment to peaceful political participation by telling their supporters not to resort to violence.

A total of five candidate pairs are in the running for the election. Three of them have joined the race as independents while the other two were nominated by political parties.

KIP pointed out that open rallies during the campaign period were guaranteed by law, although it said it would consider the police’s recommendation.

“In the law on elections, the police have the authority to give guidance on security measures because they are at the forefront of creating a feeling of security among all sides,” KIP member Zainal Abidin said.

“We will surely be heeding recommendations by the police in following the stages of election,” he said.