Dhaka - As many as 46 people were running for the mayoral offices in four major cities across Bangladesh in local government elections fixed for August 4, Election Commission officials said Monday.

ATM Shamsul Huda, chairman of the three-member Election Commission, also announced the names of 59 other candidates vying for the top elected office in nine towns where local polls have long been overdue.

The commission has additionally endorsed the candidacies of 429 people for the office of councilors to help the mayors in their task and another 120 for the reserved women seats.

The interim government relaxed emergency rule in the four cities and nine towns allowing public meetings and vote campaigns.

The mayoral elections are being held in Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna and Barisal cities.

Under Bangladeshi laws local government elections are fought on a non-party basis and candidates are likely to face expulsions if they are found backed by the political parties. (dpa)