BANDA ACEH, Indonesia – An official said Tuesday (April 30th) that two dozen candidates vying for seats in the Aceh provincial legislature ahead of next year's general election have failed a test on the Qur'an required under local law for those seeking office, local media reported.
Akmal Abzal, a commissioner with the Aceh Independent Elections Commission, said 42 of 1,231 people from a dozen political parties failed the test. "There were only three political parties whose members all passed the Qur'an proficiency test 100%," Akmal told The Jakarta Globe. "One thing is certain: There were legislative candidates from a nationalist Islamic party who couldn't read the Qur'an."
The test was administered over the course of three days, from Saturday to Monday, according to Tempo.com. Those who were absent can take it when it is offered again; those who failed cannot.
Aceh is the only province in the country allowed to have local parties and the only one that requires the Qur'an proficiency test.
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