JAKARTA (Reuters) - Jakarta Governor Joko "Jokowi"Widodo looked to be heading for a narrow victory in Indonesia's presidential election on Wednesday, early quick counts showed, in what would be a triumph for a new breed of politician that has emerged in the fledgling democracy.

After polls closed across the vast archipelago at 1pm, a tally of about 60 per cent of the votes showed Mr Joko was ahead of former general Prabowo Subianto, who is seen as a representative of the old guard that flourished under decades of autocratic rule.

An exit poll conducted by the Indonesian Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) also showed Mr Joko narrowly ahead with 45.1 per cent versus Mr Prabowo's 42.2 per cent. "This is a good day for the Indonesian nation and the Indonesian people. I'm very confident," media quoted Mr Joko as saying when he cast his vote in the capital, wearing a traditional batik print shirt and accompanied by his wife.

An exit poll of Indonesian voters showed Jakarta Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo ahead of former general Prabowo Subianto in the presidential election, according to pollster Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The exit poll was based on interviews with 8,000 respondents across the country, said CSIS political analyst Tobias Basuki.

"We are not making a call at this point because too many respondents did not disclose, but we can say Jokowi is leading," Mr Basuki said.

Pollster Kompas also said that Mr Joko was leading by 53.3 per cent to Mr Prabowo's 46.7 per cent, based on 71 per cent of votes counted.