Almost 63 per cent of residents see the swarming insects as the biggest problem of city living, followed by garbage collection and polluted, clogged sewers, a Ramkhamhaeng University survey revealed on the eve of the local elections.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is ready to open 6,229 polling stations for voters to choose their representatives today. They will be open from 8am to 3pm for 4.2 million voters in 50 of 57 districts.

The elections comprise two votes, one for the Bangkok Metropolitan Council and another for 36 district councils.

They are being contested by candidates from the Democrat, Chat Thai and Thai Rak Thai parties, as well as independents.

On the city council, 57 seats are up for grabs, and 156 candidates are in the race. Voters in 14 of 50 districts will cast ballots only for the city seats. In the remaining 36 districts, each voter will cast two votes, for city and district seats.

For the 36 district councils, 655 candidates are contesting 255 vacant seats.

City councillors are in charge of the local legislation while district councillors act as advisers to respective district chiefs.

City Clerk Khunying Nathanon Thavisin has called on voters to cast their ballots in order to ensure civic participation in the running of the capital.

Electoral officials are expected to proceed with caution when tallying the votes to ensure fairness, she said.

Some 11 districts are expected to see tight races.