Aceh Party confident of winning election

Hundreds of thousands of Aceh Party supporters gathered at the Dhimurthala Lam Pineung soccer field in Banda Aceh on Sunday to listen to the campaign speeches of candidates taking part in the upcoming regional elections in Aceh.

Besides declaring Zaini Abdulah and Muzakir Manaf the party’s gubernatorial ticket, the Aceh Party also announced the candidacies of 16 pairs for regental and mayoral elections throughout Aceh.

The supporters started arriving in Banda Aceh on Saturday on trucks, buses and in private cars from all 23 regencies in the province.

Their arrival caused traffic jams on major roads in Banda Aceh. “We’ve come here to accompany our candidates to lead Aceh with the hope that they will be able to bring something new to the Acehnese,” said Aminullah from East Aceh.

Aminullah and his entourage arrived by truck on Saturday. Aside from seeing the gubernatorial candidates, Aminullah also wanted to see the regental candidates for East Aceh, supported by the Aceh Party.

As the biggest local party in Aceh, the Aceh Party is confident it will win the regional elections scheduled for April 9.

Five pairs of gubernatorial candidates will contest the election. Only two of the five pairs are backed by local parties. The remaining three pairs are running as independents, including the incumbent governor, Irwandi Yusuf.

The Aceh Party currently has 33 of the 96 seats at the Aceh provincial legislative council. This strength is considered capital for the party to win the gubernatorial and regental elections.

In front of his supporters, Zaini said he was ready to bring change and improvement to Aceh after years of conflict.