Electoral observers say that Sunday's vote appeared to draw a big turn-out.

VOA: standard.2009.08.30

The Party of Brazilian Social Democracy, the main opposition to Ms Rousseff, could also draw consolation from the vote.

ECONOMIST: Voters ignore the Workers�� Party��s troubles

The latest polls for parliamentary elections in April, which will be followed in July by a nationwide presidential vote, show Indonesia's two largest Islamist parties are on track to draw a combined 7% of the vote this year, down from nearly 16% in 2004.

WSJ: Indonesia Polls Show Hard-Line Islamists Losing Ground

The main conclusion they are likely to draw is that the presidential vote will be a close-run thing.

ECONOMIST: Something for everyone in an important state election