Preference deals will decide Lord Mayoral race amid mounting fears over voter turnout Lord Mayoral candidates Stephen Yarwood, Mark Hamilton, Kelly Henderson, Martin Haese and Michael Henningsen. PREFERENCE deals are poised to play a defining role in the lord mayoral election, amid claims they could cause damaging splits within Adelaide City Council. Just days before Saturday's council poll, Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood has launched a thinly veiled attack on his rivals for engaging in such deals. And council sources have revealed preference deals will likely decide the next mayor in the event of low voter turnout. Electoral Commissioner Kay Mousley has expressed alarm at the lack of voting and fears a record low turnout. All five candidates told The Advertiser in September they backed compulsory voting. Mr Yarwood is facing a battle for re-election from councillors Michael Henningsen, 56, and Mark Hamilton, 62, businessman Martin Haese, 49, and parklands campaigner Kelly Henderson, 49. South Australia's Premier Jay Weatherill has endorsed Lord Mayoral candidate Stephen Yarwood ahead of this year's local council elections. Mr Hamilton, a lawyer, and Dr Henningsen, an orthopedic surgeon, have agreed on a preference deal, as has Ms Henderson and Mr Haese, a former Rundle Mall chief and retail entrepreneur. Mr Yarwood, 43, has refused to enter deals but has received a contentious "endorsement" from Premier Jay Weatherill. In a statement posted on his website, Mr Yarwood suggested preference deals could lead to factionalism on the council, which he had promised to eradicate. "I have been approached regarding voting suggestions but will not be preferencing candidates; it could divide a council that should be collaborative from day one," he wrote. In the same article, Mr Yarwood, a former town planner, published a list of candidates he backed. Mr Hamilton accused Mr Yarwood of being "hypocritical" after he agreed to a preference deal with fellow mayoral candidate Ralph Clarke at the 2010 council election. Mr Yarwood polled 3169 votes in his surprise win over his more fancied rivals, Francis Wong with 2285 and Mr Clarke with 1427 after preferences. Mr Hamilton suggested Mr Clarke's preferences helped Mr Yarwood get over the line.