Joanna Jolly, Jakarta – The mood was excited and boisterous inside the assembly hall as legislators were called forward to cast their votes.

Close allies of Bacharuddin Habibie were booed, with former president Suharto's half-brother Probosutedjo receiving the most catcalls. The loudest jeers were for the few who abstained. People called "Pulang, Pulang", meaning "Go home" from the back of the balcony.

When Megawati Sukarnoputri and Abdurrahman Wahid walked in, there was cheering from the 300 or so students, observers and journalists on the balcony.

Mr Wahid was supported by his daughter, Yenni, as he walked the few metres towards a polling booth.

When Ms Megawati returned from voting, she stopped at Mr Wahid's seat, put her hand on his shoulder and spoke to him. She remained smiling throughout as she took her place nine rows from the front.

As the counting began, those on the balcony yelled a resounding "Yes!" each time her name was called. But, as more votes came in for Mr Wahid, the same voices shifted, so that by the time his lead was clear, it was as if the crowd had become fervent Muslim activists.

The man marking up votes on a white board had to wipe the sweat from his brow continuously as the tension in the hall increased. MPR chairman Amien Rais had to bang his gavel for order several times.

For much of the count, Ms Megawati maintained a lead of about 20 votes. But as she was overtaken, supporters and cameramen surged toward Mr Wahid, who was protected by a line of batik-shirted security men.

As it became clear Mr Wahid was close to victory, supporters sang Sholawat Badar, a Muslim anthem, while Ms Megawati's supporters lit kretek (clove) cigarettes and left quietly through the back door.

As soon as her defeat was clear, troops moved towards the parliament building, forming ranks along the main highways and closing the road to the airport. The mood was initially good-humoured, but by 4pm, thousands of Megawati supporters were on the streets.

"Megawati should be president, she won the election. If Mega is not president, PDI-P [Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle] supporters are ready to risk their lives," said one of her security men, Christ W. Tomasoa, from the eastern island of Ambon. "We are ready to die for Mega." Minutes later a car bomb exploded outside parliament.