Who will it be?

On Thursday morning, one of these three people will find themselves as Indonesia's fourth president.

B.J. Habibie

Nominated by : Golkar Party of Reform faction

Last Position: incumbent President

Close friends describe Habibie as being rational, astute in business and humble.

Born on June 25 in Nepo village, Pare-pare, South Sulawesi, on June 25, 1936, Habibie -- or Rudy as he is known -- made a name for himself in Germany as a brilliant aeronautical expert.

When Habibie returned home in 1974, he was appointed Soeharto's technology consultant and then state minister of research and technology between 1978 and 1998.

He became chairman of the Association of Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI) when it was formed in 1990. The association continues to be one his staunchest support bases.

Habibie was elected vice president in March 1998.

On May 21, 1998, Habibie was sworn in to the nation's highest position following Soeharto's resignation from the post.

Habibie may have constitutional legitimacy, but he does not necessarily have political legitimacy.

He initially enjoyed the support of the military and perhaps also the political parties that voted him into the vice presidency to begin with. But after losing East Timor in a self- determination ballot, and dogged by accusations that members of his inner circle were involved in a bank scandal, confidence in his abilities waned. According to most accounts, Habibie's chances of retaining the presidency are slimmer by the day.

Habibie is married to Hasri Ainun, a physician by training who gave up her professional career to raise their two children: Ilham Akbar, now 36, and Thareq Kamal, 32.

Abdurrahman Wahid

Nominated by : Reform faction

Last Position: Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama Muslim organization

When Abdurrahman Wahid, who is better known as Gus Dur, accepted the "axis force's" presidential nomination, it was considered just one of the countless political maneuvers that this controversial figure has played in Indonesian politics.

Born to one of the country's most influential families of Muslim leaders, Abdurrahman is the grandson of Hasyim Ashari, an influential Muslim leader from the turn of the century.

Abdurrahman's father, Wahid Hasyim, was also a noted figure, and in the 1950s was appointed minister of religious affairs.

Locals give the son of an elite family the title of "Gus". But the title has now become inseparable from his name.

Abdurrahman was elected in 1984 chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).

In the early 1990s his eyesight deteriorated rapidly, and prior to recent treatment he was near blind.

In the past 10 years, Abdurrahman has built a reputation that has shifted from the role of a reputable culturalist to that of a wily politician. However Muslims to the right of the political spectrum accuse Abdurrahman of being too close to non-Muslim leaders in his social activities.

In the reform era, Abdurrahman supervised the birth of the National Awakening Party (PKB), even though he does not personally serve a role on the party's board.

In the June 7 general election, PKB was the third largest successful party.

At the beginning of the general election campaign, Abdurrahman endorsed PDI Perjuangan leader Megawati Soekarnoputri as PKB's sole presidential candidate.

With the increasing polarization of support between Megawati and incumbent B.J. Habibie, several smaller parties grouped in the axis force began courting Abdurrahman as an alternative candidate.

Abdurrahman's reaction to the nomination was confusing. He accepted the nomination, but said he himself still supported Megawati.

Megawati Soekarnoputri

Nominated by : PDI Perjuangan

Last Position: Chairwoman of PDI Perjuangan

To many, Megawati is a mystery. A simple woman who avoids confrontation, she has been a target of criticism by her opponents, who have aired doubts about her intellectual capabilities. Unlike many other party leaders, she does not hold a college or doctorate degree.

She has yet to reveal a comprehensive proposal on how to run the country should she finally end up occupying Bina Graha presidential office. As the daughter of Indonesia's first president Sukarno, Megawati's popularity certainly draws on the cult status of her late father.

Despite Megawati's shortcomings, people love her and are willing to make great sacrifices for her presidential bid.

It is not easy to comprehend this phenomenon. One explanation suggests that it is Megawati's simplicity that attracts the crowds. She is seen as an honest person who can be trusted.

Born as Diah Permata Megawati Soekarnoputri, there is no doubt that the presidential hopeful benefits from her father's name.

While it is true that Soekarno's name lends credence to her reputation, Megawati has tried hard to prove that she is a capable leader in her own right.

Politically, Megawati seems to seek a middle way, to accommodate both the reformists and the pro-status quo groups, namely the Golkar Party and its supporters and affiliates.