LHOKSEUMAWE, ACEH — An emotional and relieved atmosphere filled the vote counting room as the Village Election Committee (P2K) finalized the recapitulation for the Keude Cunda Village Chief Election (Pilkeuchik). Candidate Mawardi emerged victorious after securing a 51-vote lead over his competitor.
Following the official announcement, Mawardi delivered a warm message emphasizing the importance of leaving political differences behind and reuniting for the progress of the village. He stressed that the democratic contestation has come to an end, and it is now time to dissolve political polarization.
“The election is over. Let us stand united once again to foster a more advanced Gampong Keude Cunda. Without all of you, I am nobody,” Mawardi stated gracefully.
He reaffirmed that his election victory should not be seen as a display of power, but rather as a heavy mandate that must be responsibly fulfilled before all residents.
“The competition has ended. Now is the time for us to work hand-in-hand to build Gampong Keude Cunda. Let us embrace one another, practice mutual cooperation (gotong royong), and move our village forward,” he added.
In response to the outcome, Zubir, a representative of the supporting team, expressed deep gratitude for the dedication shown throughout the campaign period.
“Thank you for everyone’s hard work. What we have gone through together is complete. Moving forward, let us maintain unity and support the future development of Gampong Keude Cunda,” Zubir remarked.
Appreciation also came from the Acting Head of Gampong Keude Cunda (Pj. Keuchik), Muhammad, who commended the peaceful conduct of the democratic event. The ultimate test for Mawardi’s upcoming leadership now rests on his capability to heal post-election divides, rebuild social cohesion, and turn political rivalry into a shared collaborative effort for community welfare.
The Pilkeuchik (Village Head Election) serves as the cornerstone of direct grassroots democracy in Aceh Province. As part of Aceh’s special autonomy structure, the village head—locally referred to as Keuchik—plays a pivotal role in managing village funds (Dana Desa), resolving local civil disputes, and preserving traditional customs (adat).
Keude Cunda, located in the Muara Dua district of Lhokseumawe, stands as a vital economic hub due to its strategic commercial activity and high population density. The peaceful transition of local leadership in Keude Cunda reflects growing political maturity at the grass-root level, demonstrating how community-focused democracy can take precedence over partisan rivalry.