I thought long and hard about whether to put posters up in this election (local elections 2014), but decided that I should, given that there are people who I won’t get to meet at the doors who might want to vote for me.  I will only be putting 65 up, 5 of which were salvaged from the last election.  I will be following strict guidelines to try not to cause problems for people, but if you do have a problem with one of my posters, please let me know on 087 1736590 (number no longer active)

(First posted on http://www.real-Dublin.ie on Tuesday, 15 April 2014 08:41)

There are national laws on postering at elections, and the city council have regulations, which can be seen at http://www.dublincity.ie/YourCouncil/VotingandElections/Pages/ElectionPostering.aspx

I will follow these rules strictly.  I will also be trying to keep my posters to shopping areas and main roads.  We will be numbering each poster and taking an exact note of where we leave them.  We will also plan to take them down as soon as possible after polling ends.  We will also be removing any cable ties on my posters as well as any that have been left on the poles, and sending them all for recycling.

If you see any of my posters that are causing a problem, or fallen down, I would appreciate if you could let me know on 087 1736590.  If you can tell me the poster number (from the bottom corner of the back of the poster) this will help me track the poster and deal with it faster.

Posters from other parties should also have the name and telephone number of those Responsible for the poster.  If you have a problem with one of these, please call that number.  All posters must be at least 2.3m off the ground (out of reach) as if they are not they can be a hazard to visually impaired pedestrians or cyclists.  If they are not, or if you have amother problem with them, you should ring the number on the poster.  You can also contact the council on 01-2221000 who will have the posters dealt with.

The city council also have regulations on the “Public Meeting” posters which some European and local candidates have put up around the City.  These rules can be seen at http://www.dublincity.ie/WaterWasteEnvironment/Waste/Pages/ProtocolforAdvertisingPosters.aspx

These posters can go up one week before and one week after the advertised meeting.  The person putting them up must apply for a special permit from the council and the name and picture of the person must take up a quarter or less of the poster.  There are many posters out there at the moment that do not follow these rules.  Again, if you have a problem, you can contact the person who put the poster up, or the council If there is a problem.  I will not be putting any of these up.

Posters can add to the festival that is an election, and it help people get into a frame of mind that they have a chance to exercise their vote.  However, too many of them for too long a period add to the clutter and untidyness of the city.  Some villages throughout the country have banned election posters, which cerastes a level playing field, because nobody puts them up. Perhaps this could be an option in Dublin, and billboards or vacant shop windows could be used to display pictures of the candidates.

What do you think?