[Kabar-indonesia] 200 candidates to run in Aceh elections

[Joyo at aol.com]

The Jakarta Post 
Monday, September 4, 2006

200 candidates to run in Aceh elections

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh

More than 200 candidates for December's direct elections in Aceh will be 
selected or eliminated by a screening process that started Thursday.

If selected, the candidates will run for the posts of Aceh's next governor 
and 19 regents and mayors.

The regional election on Dec. 11 will constitute the largest direct election 
ever held in the country in terms of posts.

The Independent Election Commission (KIP) requires candidates to undergo a 
health examination and also tests their ability to recite the Koran.

The seven-hour medical examinations will be held from Aug. 31 to Sept. 9 at 
Zainal Abidin Hospital in Banda Aceh.

"The results of the tests will be announced on Sept. 1," Ridwan, the head of 
the test committee, said, adding that candidates' mental health would also be 
assessed.

Doctors will examine their lungs, heart, eyes, ears, nose, abdomen, throat 
and central nervous system. Candidates found to have a history of drug abuse 
will be eliminated.

They must pay Rp 2 million (US$210) each for the examination.

"All candidates will come here because this is the only fully equipped 
hospital," Ridwan said.

Candidates' ability to recite the Koran will be tested on Sept. 7 at the haj 
dormitory in Banda Aceh. Each candidate will be asked to read for 15 minutes.

KIP Aceh chairman M. Jakfar said 12 pairs of candidates had registered to run 
for governor and deputy governor.

They include Malek Raden and Sayed Fuad Zakaria (backed by Golkar Party); 
Azwar Abubakar and Nasir Jamil (National Mandate Party and Prosperous Justice 
Party); Humam Hamid and Hasbi (the United Development Party); Iskandar Husen and 
Saleh Manaf (Crescent Star Party) and Tamlicha Ali and Nova Iriansyah 
(Democratic Party and Reform Star Party).

Independent candidates include the pairs of Djali Yusuf and Syaukas 
Rahmatillah; Ghazali Abbas Adan and Shalahuddin; Ibrahim Hasyim and Cut Idawani; 
Irwandi Yusuf and Muhammad Nazar; T Syahril and Abdullah Murthada and Hafni and 
Syukur.

Candidates will officially be selected by the KIP on Oct. 13.

The 19 regencies to hold elections are Sabang city, Banda Aceh city, Pidie, 
North Aceh, Lhokseumawe city, Langsa city, East Aceh, Aceh Tamiang, Aceh 
Singkil, Gayo Lues, Southeast Aceh, Central Aceh, Bener Meriah, Southwest Aceh, 
Nagan Raya, Simeulue, Aceh Jaya and Aceh Besar. 

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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