"We hope all parties, especially candidates, will create a peaceful situation so that people can express their aspirations to elect the leaders they want," Djoko Suyanto said.Banda Aceh (ANTARA News) - Chief Security Minister Djoko Suyanto has called on all parties in Aceh to create peace in connection with the regional elections scheduled on April 9.
"We hope all parties, especially candidates, will create a peaceful situation so that people can express their aspirations to elect the leaders they want," he said here on Wednesday.
Djoko Suyanto was here to attend the declaration of `peaceful regional elections` by five candidates for the Aceh governor`s post and 137 candidates for 17 district heads and city mayors and their running mates.
The event was held by the Aceh Independent Elections Commission before the local Baiturrahman grand mosque in the provincial capital Banda Aceh and was also attended by Home affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi, National Police Chief General Timur Pradopo, Defense Forces Commander Admiral Agus Suhartono, and Administrative Reform Minister Azwar Abubakar.
Djoko Suyanto also called on all parties to improve public participation in the elections.
"Let us conduct fair elections. People in Aceh and the rest of Indonesia certainly do not expect it to be a meaningless ceremony. So, make the election process peaceful from beginning to the end," he said.
Djoko reminded everyone that the elections would not only be monitored by local people but also national and international communities.
The regional elections in Aceh in 2006 had gone well despite difficult situations. So with better conditions now, it is hoped that the elections this year will also be better, he added.
"Although, ahead of this year`s elections we have faced difficult situations marked by the emergence of various aspirations, the central government hopes that peaceful elections will be a commitment by everyone to assure a better future for Aceh, Djoko said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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