U.S. Election Observation Team Statement on December 11, 2006

The United States Embassy congratulates the people of Aceh for their historic exercise of democracy on December 11, which proceeded in a largely free, fair and peaceful manner in areas observed by the U.S. election observation team. This first truly democratic election in Aceh in half a century is an important step in the transition from conflict to peace, stability and self-governance within Aceh. It builds upon the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding of August 2005 and the Law on the Governance of Aceh of July 2006. The people of Aceh and the people of Indonesia as a whole can rightly take pride in this achievement.

The U.S. team, which consisted of 40 persons accredited by the Indonesian Department of Foreign Affairs and the Aceh Electoral Commission (KIP), observed gubernatorial and district administrative elections. The observers deployed to the capital of Banda Aceh and 13 of the 19 contested districts on December 9, met with local officials on December 10 and witnessed voting and counting at polling stations on December 11. Ambassador B. Lynn Pascoe said these historic elections in Aceh “demonstrated the strong commitment of the people of Indonesia to democratic values and principles.”

The U.S. team found the election environment and voting process generally free of intimidation and manipulation. Although confusion about registration and proper identification prevented some persons from voting at some polling stations, voting and counting proceeded without significant disruption or restriction on voter access to polls. The United States will share more detailed findings with the KIP.

The U.S. team noted the tremendous enthusiasm and support from the people of Aceh for the elections. Other important elements in the voting process included the commitment of the Provincial Government of Aceh, the leadership of the KIP, the diligence of the many domestic monitors, including the People’s Voter Education Network, the NGO Forum, the E-card Community/Jurdil and the Independent Election Observer Committee, as well as the presence of the European Union and other international observers.