Panchkula/Ambala, May 10 -- From how smooth your everyday commute will be, to how clean your surroundings are, and how safe you will feel while walking on the streets of Panchkula and Ambala over the next five years will all depend on who you pick as your mayor and ward councillor today.

In Panchkula, six candidates, including two Independents, are in fray for the coveted mayor's post while 87 are vying for 20 councillor's seats in the city. Panchkula and Ambala vote its mayor through direct elections, meaning that voters will be picking their councillors and mayors simultaneously.

Neighbour Chandigarh elects its mayor through indirect elections - voters first pick their ward councillors who in turn vote to elect a mayor for a one-year ...