FIVE thousand people spilled into the grounds of the Raya Baiturrahman Mosque in Banda Aceh city. They came by bus, car, motorcycle and motorized becak (pedicab), from all corners of the province to Acehs capital. On Thursday of last week the eight pairs of candidates for the governorship called for a peaceful campaign.

The candidates stood on the stage, some in jackets and ties, others wrapped in traditional clothes ala Sultans of Aceh complete w