When will Ireland general election posters come down? Candidates face fines if they miss deadline

Voter eyes are on the ballot papers in count centres today but general election candidates will soon have to turn their attention to removing their posters or face the prospect of heavy fines.

The images of political hopefuls adorning poles and posts around the country are currently regarded as election posters but will legally be considered litter seven days from polling day, giving election teams just a week to take them down.

After that, newly elected politicians and unsuccessful candidates can be fined €150 for each poster that remains on public display under the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended by the Electoral (Amendment) (No.2) Act 2009.

READ MORE: Live updates as voters take to the polls

This does not apply to election material on billboards, however, which is considered commercial advertising rather than election postering.

Local authorities are responsible for enforcing litter laws and issuing on-the-spot fines to candidates whose election posters remain in place a week after November 29th. They have also been in charge of removing posters deemed to constitute a hazard to road users and pedestrians over the past month.

It’s also prohibited to place an election poster within 50 metres of a polling station, and violating this law is punishable with a prison sentence of up to two years. The restriction takes effect 30 minutes before voting starts and remains in place until 30 minutes after polls close.

Guidelines issued by local authorities for the placement of posters ahead of the elections advised that posters should be erected at a minimum height of 2.3 metres above footpaths and cycleways.

They should not be placed on poles supporting overhead electricity lines, nor on traffic signal poles, bridge parapets, overpasses, pedestrian bridges, or roadside barriers.

Councils have also pleaded with election candidates to ensure they remove the cable ties used to affix their posters when they’re taking them down, as failing to do so constitutes littering and an eyesore.

Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Clickthis linkto receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read ourPrivacy Notice.