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Election posters hang from lampposts in Dublin City centre in the run-up to November's general election Alamy Stock Photo

Electoral Commission seeking public’s views on whether campaign posters should be banned

The Electoral Commission noted that some critics want election posters to be ‘eliminated entirely’ due to environmental impacts.

THE BODY RESPONSIBLE for Ireland’s electoral system is seeking the public’s views on the future of election posters.

The Electoral Commission is seeking submissions on the matter and may make recommendations to Government based on the feedback it receives.

A spokesperson for the Electoral Commission noted that election and referendum posters are currently a “key feature” of Ireland’s democratic landscape.

It was remarked that posters raise awareness that a vote is about to take place and provide visual clues to voters as to who they will see on the ballot paper.

However, a spokesperson for the Commission acknowledged that there are critics of election posters who call for a reduction or changes in their use.

The spokesperson added that some critics are seeking for the election posters to be “eliminated entirely” due to environmental impacts, visual pollution and safety concerns. 

The Commission today launched its public consultation process seeking views from the public on the use of posters and it will be supported by an external research team.

The research is being undertaken as part of the Electoral Commission’s 2024-2026 research programme, which seeks to “enhance all aspects of Ireland’s electoral system”.

“For decades the use of posters during Irish election and referendum campaigns has been the topic of debate in communities, between political scientists, in the media and amongst the wider public,” said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson added that the research will also look at rules and practices around postering in other countries.

In particular, the research will examine the role of posters as a political communication tool in election campaigns in Ireland and elsewhere, compared to other methods of political communication, both traditional and online,

It will also examine the impact of posters on political engagement and electoral awareness, including among people who the Commission fear may be “marginalised from the political process”.

The research will also look at the environmental and safety impacts of posters.

The deadline for submissions to the Electoral Postering Consultation is 5pm on Friday, 9 May.

People make submissions through the Commission’s website, by email – at research@electoralcommission.ie – or by post to: Poster Consultation, An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, D02X8X8.  

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    Mute SCO Electrical
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 5:33 PM

    Whoever buys it has to call every man he ever meets again Boy

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    Mute Rasputin
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 5:36 PM

    And has to wear a white Colonel Saunders type suit…..

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    Mute Uncle Monty
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 5:39 PM

    Shouldn’t be a problem If he’s from Cork.

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    Mute family guy
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 6:34 PM

    What is up with you journal. You have an extreme fascination with property, smart phones and Pat Kenny!!! And before anyone points it out I know the journal and daft are one of the same.

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    Mute Muiris O'Daltuin
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 5:38 PM

    There is nothing “fairytale” like about an 18th century plantation.

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    Mute Malvolio32
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 5:55 PM

    Ah yes, “guesthouses”!!

    46
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    Mute Muiris O'Daltuin
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 6:05 PM

    And the “hunting lodge”!!

    42
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    Mute Rasputin
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 5:45 PM

    “mysterious garden in the back”….. You mean the remains of the former slave quarters??? Speaking of slavery, that place is so old it probably comes with its own slave mass grave….

    106
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    Mute Dave Thomas
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 6:05 PM

    Being a former plantation I doubt life was a fairytale for most of the people who lived there

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    Mute Ciaran Rice
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 6:16 PM

    I wonder how many KKK rally’s were held on its land.

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    Mute Rasputin
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 7:50 PM

    So many I’d say to this day there’s hardly a pillow case left in the place without eye holes cut in them.

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    Mute Paul Radburn
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 5:57 PM

    The person who won the €160. million on Friday could buy that from the change in their back pocket!

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    Mute Shane Cormican
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    Nov 23rd 2015, 12:02 AM

    Yeah and better value then the “high end of Ireland”

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    Mute Spoddgy
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 7:02 PM

    A fairytale except for the slaves! The many many slaves!

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    Mute Uncle Monty
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 5:37 PM

    I’d prefer a pool table in my game room.

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    Mute Karol Doran
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 5:36 PM

    Me likey

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    Mute hans gruber
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 8:31 PM

    Oooh, do any slaves come with the plantation?

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    Mute Niall O Neill
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 5:54 PM

    Are those genuine Audubon prints (the turkey is clearly visible) in the main house? Elephant folio, very rare, sought after collectors items.

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    Mute windbag
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 6:17 PM

    Jump down turn around pick a bail of cotton, Jump down turn around pick a bail of hay …..

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    Mute Paul Devlin
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 8:08 PM

    Jesus, 2 posh house for sale abroad articles in one day in the Journal. I know it’s a Sunday and the ‘journalists’ need to fill space but come on, who gives a sh*te? It would be a lot more interesting if the article was ’1 room tin shack for sale in Manila slum for $1000′

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