ACEH POLITICAL PARTIES VOW PEACEFUL COMPETITION IN 2009 POLLS

Banda Aceh, Sept 13 (ANTARA) - Forty-three of the 44 national and local political parties in Aceh that are to take part in the 2009 general elections declared their resolve to compete peacefully at a function held at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque here on Friday.

Twenty-nine local candidates for the provincial legislative council meanwhile also made the same declaration.

The joint declaration, sponsored by the Aceh Peach Resources Center (APRC), the Independent Election Commission (KIP), the Aceh provincial administration and the Aceh Desk of the Coordination and Communications Forum, was opened by Aceh Vice Governor Muhammad Nazar.
Karimun Usman read out the declaration representing the political parties while Sabela did it on behalf of the provincial legislative countil candidates.
A political petition was read out by Ghazali Abas Adan at the occaison which was also attended by Aceh Police Chief Inspector General Rismawan.
Muhammad Nazar said he hoped following the declaration all political party members would not open possibilities for a new conflict because the region needs peace as capital and key to the success of the region's development.
He also hoped that the national and local parties could cooperate well and create understanding to contribute to developing democratic political education.
The declaration contains among others pledges to adhere to all election rules and stages of the election process and reject all kinds of money politics.
In the declaration they also rejected all kinds of violence for settling possible disputes and promised to prefer dialogues and legal processes.