A day after Indonesia’s presidential elections failed to produce a clear winner, Jakarta’s police chief promised to prevent violence by cracking down on anyone celebrating prematurely.

Former general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono maintained a commanding lead in Indonesia’s first direct presidential election today with nearly three-quarters of the votes counted, according to the country’s election commission.

Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid’s political fate was sealed today when all factions taking part in an impeachment hearing in the national assembly demanded his immediate dismissal and replacement by he deputy.

The two largest parties in Indonesia’s national assembly, which combined represent a majority of MPs, were today demanding that President Abdurrahman Wahid be dismissed and replaced immediately by Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

Indonesia’s parliament met in Jakarta behind razor wire and barricades today with disgruntled politicians calling for a second censure to be issued against President Abdurrahman Wahid - setting the scene for possible impeachment.