Political experts feel that this percentage can eventually turn out to be decisive in selecting the next Panchkula MC President, who is selected for a term of five years.

In Chandigarh, the mayors are chosen for a year in a rotational format.

As many as 185 candidates from 31 wards are contesting.

Among the total 185 candidates, the number of independent candidates is 100, while Congress has 29, INLD has 25 and BJP has 31 candidates.

“While on an average there are four to five candidates in fray from each ward, the ward with the maximum number of contesting candidates is ward 7 with 15 candidates, while the minimum number is 3 candidates from Ward 1 and 2,” said Executive Officer of civic body OP Sihag.

As campaigning gathers steam in the township, the Congress has decided to bring in its heavyweight politicians to campaign for its candidates.

For the first time, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda is expected to campaign for candidates, Congress sources said.

Union Minister of State for Urban Development Kumari Shelja and Deputy CM Chander Mohan will also be pitching in.

Cabinet ministers Mange Ram Gupta, A C Chaudahry are also expected to participate in the campaign rally. For INLD, Abhey Chautala has been made the over all in-charge for the MC elections.

For BJP, Gyan Chand Gupta, state vice-president, Ram Vilas Sharma and other prominent leaders will be campaign for the candidates.

Around 1.16 lakh voters are expected to cast their votes on March 30 to decide the fate of the future MC president and his team.

Around 98 polling booths will be set up in the city, of which, 16 of them — 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29 — have been declared “sensitive” by the Administration.

Though the INLD and Congress claim of a clear sweep in the Council elections, BJP Spokesperson, Sanjay Ahuja said that the competition will be neck to neck in ward numbers 2, 3, 4, 5 and 14.