Irwandi Yusuf, who was in jail for treason when the tsunami crashed into the province in 2004, had about 38 percent of the vote for governor in Dec. 11 elections, while the second-place candidate had between 15 percent and 17 percent, according to respected local pollsters Jurdil Aceh and the Indonesian Survey Circle. Official results will not be released until Jan. 2.

If the result is upheld it would represent a stunning victory for the former rebel movement, which formally abandoned its demand for independence and disbanded its armed wing as part of the 2005 peace agreement.

It would also show the level of distrust in Aceh for the central government.

The Japan Times Weekly: Dec. 16, 2006
(C) All rights reserved