Defying a boycott call by Maoists and braving scorching heat, people came out to exercise their franchise in the southern districts of Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Kalahandi and Kandhamal.
"People exercised their franchise in large numbers defying Maoist propaganda. High turnout of 50 to 60 percent has been reported in Maoist-hit areas," Jethwa said.
Prominent candidates in the first phase whose fate has been sealed in the EVMs are Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and two former chief ministers and senior Congress leaders Giridhar Gomang and Hemananda Biswal.
State Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patro, former union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Jual Oram, state BJP president K.V. Singh Deo and Congress leader Narasingh Mishra are also in the fray.
While polling time was 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Maoist-affected areas, it was till 6 p.m. in other places.
In the 2009 election, 65.3 percent of the electorate had exercised their franchise.
