TAIPEI - A record 19,762 candidates have signed up to run in Taiwan's 2014 local elections, with 11,130 local government positions expected to be filled on Nov. 29, according to the island' s electoral authorities.

The elections are to be the biggest in history in terms of candidates and open positions, making it one of Taiwan's most important since 2012.

It is the first time they will elect seven levels of local government officials simultaneously. Positions up for grabs range from mayors for Taiwan's major municipalities Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Taoyuan to village chiefs.

Election campaigns for mayors of the six municipalities will formally start on Friday and will run for 15 days, the electoral authorities said at a Thursday press conference.

A total of 15,559 polling places will be set up across the island on the election day, the authorities said.