Authorities in Indonesia's formerly rebellious province of Aceh began to prepare for the first direct elections in December, in which more than 200 candidates will be selected or eliminated by a screening process.

The eligible candidates will run for the posts of Aceh's next governor and 19 regents and mayors.

The regional election on Dec. 11 will constitute the largest direct election ever held in the country in terms of posts, The Jakarta Post newspaper reported Monday.

The Independent Election Commission (KIP) requires candidates to undergo a health examination and also tests their ability to recite the Koran.

The KIP has confirmed 12 pairs of candidates already registered to run for governor and deputy governor.

Aceh, located in the northern tip of Sumatra island, has become a scene of rebellion since 1976 until August last year when the government and the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) signed a landmark peace accord in Helsinki.

Under the peace accord, the government agreed to offer greater autonomy and grant the right to implement Sharia (Islamic) law in the predominantly Muslim province, while GAM decided to give up rebellion.

(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2006)