Bangladeshis were voting on Monday in the first phase of local elections, the first polls organised by the country's army-backed interim government since it took power in early 2007 with a promise to restore democracy.

All the candidates in Monday's polls had registered as independents because Bangladesh's election laws prevented political parties from directly contesting local councils.

But after a ruling last week by the High Court, political parties will be able to field candidates during additional rounds of local polls in coming weeks to help them prepare for a national election expected in December.

Voters thronged hundreds of polling stations in four city corporations and nine municipal areas after polling stations opened at 8 a.m. (0200 GMT).

Mohammad Sohul Hossain, an election commissioner, told reporters that 35 percent of 1.3 million registered voters had cast their ballot by noon (0600 GMT).

"The turnout is very encouraging despite rain falling in some polling areas," he added. "People are waiting in the queues with great patience."

Monday's elections are being monitored by thousands of observers from Bangladesh and abroad, and their opinion is likely to be a barometer for the success of national elections laster in the year.

Sajjadur Rahman, a deputy police commissioner in northern Rajshahi city, said voting had been "disciplined and peaceful".

"We hope order will prevail till the voting closes at 4 p.m. (1000 GMT)," he told reporters.

"NO ANOMALIES"

Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, chairman of the National Election Observation Council (a local monitoring group), added: "So far we have noticed no anomaly or breach of the codes of conduct."

The elections are the first in the country's history to use a digital voter list with photographs to avoid rigging and fake voting, problems which have plagued previous ballots.

In the northeastern city of Sylhet, thousands of voters braved heavy rain, to stand in line.

"This is the first opportunity we have in many years to elect a mayor and councillors in a free and unintimidating atmosphere," one Sylhet voter said.

Bangladesh remains under a state of emergency after the interim government took power in January 2007 following widespread political violence. It cancelled a national election due the same month.

Poll officials earlier said all measures had been taken to ensure a free, fair and peaceful local elections that would be a key pointer to a successful national vote.

Chief Election Commissioner A.T.M. Shamsul Huda has dubbed the local polls a "gateway to democracy".

Retired Brigadier-General Sakhawat Hossain, another election commissioner, said the voting process had been "a bit slow" initially  because voters, polling officials and political agents were not familiar with the new process.

City corporations, municipalities and other local councils enjoy sweeping powers and have a strong influence in selecting candidates for national elections.

Monday's vote will be followed by a series of more local elections until October.