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Ex-rebel 'ahead' in Aceh election Ex-rebel 'ahead' in Aceh election
(about 1 hour later)
A former rebel leader is on course to win key elections in Indonesia's Aceh province, according to a sample of votes collected by a local pollster. A former rebel leader is on course to win the first direct elections for governor of Indonesia's Aceh province, according to unofficial results.
Irwandi Yusuf had secured 39% of votes for the governor's post, the Indonesia Survey Institute said after counting a representative sample of votes. Irwandi Yusuf polled 39%, the Indonesia Survey Institute said after counting a representative sample of votes.
Mr Yusuf was formerly a spokesman of the Free Aceh Movement (Gam) and was jailed for treason in 2003. Mr Yusuf, formerly a spokesman of the Free Aceh Movement (Gam), was jailed for treason in 2003 but escaped when the 2004 tsunami struck his prison.
The elections follow a peace deal signed last year by Gam and Jakarta. The elections follow last year's peace deal between Gam and the government.
"I'm certain there will not be a second round because it's a win by a large amount," said Denny Januar Ali of the Indonesia Survey Institute (LSI).
Election rules state that if no candidate receives more than 25% of the vote in the first round, a second round is held.Election rules state that if no candidate receives more than 25% of the vote in the first round, a second round is held.
The survey has a margin of error of one to two percent, according to AP news agency.The survey has a margin of error of one to two percent, according to AP news agency.
Peace talks
Official results will not be released until 2 January although similar "quick count" polls accurately forecast the result of national elections in Indonesia in 2004.Official results will not be released until 2 January although similar "quick count" polls accurately forecast the result of national elections in Indonesia in 2004.
ACEH PROVINCE Province on the north-western tip of SumatraHigh percentage of Muslims, and only province where Sharia law allowedSeparatist rebels fought decades-long campaign against JakartaDecember 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami devastated regionNew peace talks led to August 2005 agreementDecember 2006 elections for governor and district leaders Peace talks
The elections for the posts of governor and deputy governor are part of a peace deal signed with separatist rebels after 29 years of war left 15,000 dead.
Rebels in Aceh gave up a demand for independence after winning autonomy and the right to participate fully in democratic elections.
Much of Aceh was devastated by the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004.Much of Aceh was devastated by the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004.
ACEH PROVINCE Province on the north-western tip of SumatraHigh percentage of Muslims, and only province where Sharia law allowedSeparatist rebels fought decades-long campaign against JakartaDecember 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami devastated regionNew peace talks led to August 2005 agreementDecember 2006 elections for governor and district leaders
The scale of the disaster - which killed 170,000 people in Aceh - spurred the rebels and the government into peace talks.The scale of the disaster - which killed 170,000 people in Aceh - spurred the rebels and the government into peace talks.
Eight pairs of candidates contested the positions of governor and vice-governor. District heads are also up for election. Rebels gave up a demand for independence after winning autonomy and the right to participate fully in democratic elections, drawing a line under 29 years of war that left 15,000 dead.
A 2005 peace deal paved the way for Monday's election for the posts of governor and deputy governor - previously appointed by central government in Jakarta.
Eight pairs of candidates ran for the positions. District heads are also up for election.
There are about 2.6 million registered voters in Aceh.
Prior to the election result, Mr Yusuf said he was a reluctant candidate who had agreed to run at the urging of religious leaders and rebel commanders.
"Being the governor is like being in prison, I will lose my freedom," he said.