Despite violence from extreme left-wing rebels on the first day of Indian elections Thursday, Indian voters turned out heavily at the polling stations in the first phase of the general elections.

Primary estimates said the turnout rate in the polling on the first day of the marathon polling is above 50 percent.

An Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is pictured as polling officials wait for voters inside a polling station in Gajandi village, about 120 km (74 miles) north of the eastern Indian city of Ranchi, April 16, 2009.[Xinhua]

"Voting took place amid huge presence of paramilitary forces," said Jayasudha, a Hyderabad resident in south-central Indian state Andhra Pradesh, who cast her vote Thursday.

"Early morning, you could see paramilitary forces escort election officials to polling booths with all equipment necessary. Never before have I seen such heavy force deployment for polls," she told Xinhua on the phone.

At a different polling booth, another Hyderabad resident, Papayamma J. Rao said many people braved extreme heat to cast their vote.

Voters line up to cast their votes as security personnel stand guard at a polling booth in Madangundi village, about 150 km (93 miles) north of the eastern Indian city of Ranchi April 16, 2009.[Xinhua]

"It was overwhelming to see enthusiasm among people who were out to vote, braving long queues and heat," she said.