New Delhi  - Several low intensity explosions and gunbattles between police and rebels were reported Friday as voting began in two-phase local elections in India's Maoist-hit central Chhattisgarh state.

Three policemen accompanying election officials were injured in a landmine blast triggered by Maoist rebels in Dantewada district, PTI and IANS news agencies reported.

Gunbattles between policemen and Maoist guerrillas were reported from at least 15 places as polling began.

The Maoist rebels have asked people not to participate in the electoral exercise and there was poor turnout in most booths as scared voters stayed at home, news reports said citing police sources.

In several areas election officers had to be airlifted to booths as huge trees were blocking the roads, the police said.

More than 65,000 policemen and paramilitary personnel have been deployed to provide security to voters and officials.

Polling for 39 electoral constituencies in areas worst affected by Maoist activity is being held on Friday. Voting for the remaining 51 seats in the Chhattisgarh constituent assembly are scheduled to be held on Thursday.

Chhattisgarh is the first of six states which are scheduled to vote for new governments in a month-long period of elections. The other states are central Madhya Pradesh, western Rajasthan, north-eastern Mizoram, national capital Delhi and northern Jammu and Kashmir.

The Congress Party, the leading partner in India's ruling alliance, and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party are the main contenders in most of the states.

The state assembly elections come just months before a general election due to be held by May 2009 when the ruling alliance completes its term and are being seen as a test of popularity by India's main parties.

The past six months have seen growing incidents of terrorism, rising food prices and an economic slowdown brought on by the global financial crisis. Analysts say these may go against the Congress Party but may also impact the BJP in the three states where it is in power.

Results for all the elections are expected on December 8. (dpa)