Dhaka  - The Election Commission announced Friday the polling day for local government election in Bangladesh amid a state of emergency clamped on the country more than a year ago.

Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda said voting would be held on August 4 in four big cities and nine towns.

Huda said the elections would be held using the newly made voter identity cards with photographs to avoid irregularities in polling.

The holding of the local polls ahead of the general election due year end has been protested by major political parties in the country.

The cities where mayoral polls will be held are Rajshahi, Barisal, Khulna and Sylhet while municipal elections are scheduled on the same day in nine towns.

A spokesman of the interim government said the existing emergency rule would be relaxed to permit electioneering by the candidates. (dpa)