Candidates in the race to become police and crime commissioner have stepped up their campaigning ahead of this week's vote.
The election for the person who will oversee policing in Leicestershire and Rutland will take place on Thursday, with the winner expected to be announced the next day.
The three candidates were out and about this weekend, spelling out their policies and encouraging people to vote.
The Labour Party's candidate is assistant mayor of Leicester and Westcotes councillor Sarah Russell.
Leicester community worker and businessman Suleman Nagdi is standing as an independent, while the Conservatives are represented by recently-retired Air Chief Marshall Sir Clive Loader, a parish councillor in Wing, Rutland.
All three urged people to familiarise themselves with the voting system which will be used on Thursday. They also gave assessments of how their campaigns were faring.
Coun Russell said: "It feels as if it's going to be very close and I think the turnout will make all the difference.
"All of the candidates have been getting out, meeting as many people as possible and urging them to use their votes.
"But there are still a lot of people who are telling us they do not know about the election or what the role is about."
Mr Nagdi said: "Over the past week I've become more confident. The number of text messages and e-mails has been very encouraging.
"The media and the three candidates' efforts have brought the election to the forefront, in my opinion, more effectively than the Government's advertising campaign.
"I want people to make an informed decision when they vote on Thursday."
Sir Clive was not available for comment but has previously said: "When I go out on the streets I still meet people who know precious little about what the police and crime commissioner is going to do.
"Things are ramping up, though, as the election approaches."
The voting system being used on Thursday is that used in the city's mayoral election .
Voters will put a cross next to the name of their preferred candidate and then, if they wish, their second choice.
Initially, only the first preference votes are counted.
If a candidate has received more than 50 per cent of those votes he or she will be declared the winner. If no candidate has more than 50 per cent, the number of second preference votes for the first and second most popular candidates are counted.
The one with the most is declared the winner.
The police and crime commissioners (PCCs) will replace police authorities, which have set budgets, appointed senior officers and scrutinised force performance.
The Leicestershire and Rutland PCC will earn about £70,000 and will themselves be scrutinised by a panel of councillors.
The Home Office believes commissioners will be more accountable to the public because they are elected, whereas police authority members include appointed councillors, magistrates and independents.
Polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday.
Counts will take place in each local authority from noon on Friday.
The winner will be announced at the Hermitage leisure centre, in Whitwick, later on Friday.
