Election officials check ballot boxes for any possible irregularities RELATED VIDEO CNN's Maria Ressa reports Indonesia's 130 million voters will choose a new parliament Monday Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K CNN's Mike Chinoy reports Indonesians go to the polls on Monday for their first democratic election in 44 years. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K CNN's Mike Chinoy interviews Aceh rebels in the jungle of Sumatra Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K
ALSO: Leading Suharto critic aims for power in Indonesia

June 7, 1999
Web posted at: 1:49 a.m. EDT (0549 GMT)

JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) --Wading through paddy fields, paddling canoes on outlying islands and riding three-wheeled bicycle rickshaws through crowded cities, millions of Indonesians turned out at polling stations on Monday.

It is the country's first free election in 44 years. Preliminary results are expected 24 to 36 hours after the polls close, but tallies from outlying areas will take days, with some ballot boxes being ferried by foot and canoe.

The election represents another major step away from authoritarian rule that ended when riots by pro-democracy student groups forced President Suharto to resign in May 1998 after 32 years in power.

"It's a real democracy now, not like before," said Muswantoro, a 55-year-old English teacher, after voting at a makeshift booth in a soccer field in the village of Rempoa near the capital, Jakarta.

Most Indonesians have never voted in a truly free election. The first and last open ballot was in 1955 after the country became independent. The ones that followed were largely rigged to ensure candidates from the ruling Golkar Party won.

"But if Golkar wins this time, there will be chaos," Muswantoro said. Like many Indonesians, he only uses one name.

Despite heavy rain Monday morning, a big turnout was expected, with 91 percent of the 130 million eligible voters registered in the world's fourth most populous nation and the largest Muslim country.

President B.J. Habibie cast his ballot early Monday in Jakarta.

Up for grabs are 462 of Parliament's 500 seats. The rest go to appointees of the powerful military, which is not allowed to vote. The new legislators will join 200 government appointees to choose a new president in November.

Hundreds of thousands of voting stations are set up across the country, which spans 13,000 islands along the equator. Former President Jimmy Carter and other international observers were being joined by thousands of local volunteer election monitors.

Fraud allegations and violence marred elections during the authoritative rule of longtime President Suharto, who was forced to step down in 1998 amid growing economic turmoil and deadly demonstrations.

The Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle, which enjoys widespread support among the poor, should be among the front- runners, many political analysts said.

"I want to encourage our people, to educate our people to have the courage to understand and fight for their rights," said party leader Megawati Sukarnoputri, considered by many the most popular politician in the country.

Number of parties goes from three to 48

Sukarnoputri gained national fame three years ago when Suharto forced her out as leader of one of three officially recognized parties.

Since Suharto's successor, Habibie, instituted limited democratic reforms, the number of political parties has soared to 48 for this election.

"This is the first election after more than three decades that provides the atmosphere for the people to enjoy real political freedom," he said in a nationally televised address Sunday night.

"Those who fail must accept the reality and avoid doing anything that could harm society, while the winner should refrain from any arrogance and keep in mind that we are part of a big national family," Habibie said.

'This is a new Golkar'

In Jakarta, many people expressed displeasure with Golkar, the ruling party of Suharto and Habibie

This weekend, crowds of Indonesians attended political rallies and parades to back their favorite parties.

In Jakarta, people hissed at candidates and destroyed banners belonging to Golkar, the ruling party of Suharto and Habibie.

"This is a new Golkar, which is correcting the mistakes of the past," implored party chairman Akbar Tandjung at a recent rally. "Is there anyone who's never made a mistake? We admit we were wrong."

Still, with its political machinery in place, and the habitual support of some rural peasants, Golkar could do better than expected in the election.

Some think the party could participate in a coalition government if no clear winner emerges in the elections.

Two-thirds of voters were not alive when Indonesia last held a democratic election in 1955.

Political turmoil ensued and founding President Sukarno seized control with the backing of the military.

Protests muted during campaign period

Sixty-five percent of Indonesia's registered voters live in rural areas

The international community, which has invested more than $40 billion to rescue Indonesia's battered economy, has provided $94 million and hundreds of observers to help stage and monitor the elections.

Carter met with Habibie and leaders of some opposition parties on Sunday. He predicted a vote that was fair, democratic and peaceful.

While escalating communal violence has rocked Indonesia for months, the unrest calmed down dramatically during the official three-week campaign period.

Jakarta Bureau Chief Maria Ressa, Correspondent Mike Chinoy and Reuters contributed to this report.

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