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Official campaigning for the June 3 local elections and parliamentary by-elections will begin this week, the election watchdog said Monday. The 13-day campaign period will begin Thursday and last until the eve of the elections, with only limited forms of electioneering permitted before the official campaign period begins, according to the National Election Commission. During the official period, candidates and their campaign teams will be allowed to give speeches in public places between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., distribute campaign materials and put up campaign banners. A total of 7,829 candidates have registered for the upcoming elections, including 54 candidates vying for 16 metropolitan mayors and provincial governors, and 585 candidates for 227 heads of lower-level administrative units in the upcoming elections. Also up for grabs are 804 seats in provincial and metropolitan councils, and 2,650 in lower-level local councils. This year’s elections are drawing greater attention as 14 National Assembly seats are also at stake in parliamentary by-elections, including the high-profile race in B