'Election Posters: A necessary evil', says Social Democrats candidate

A new candidate who is set to run in the local elections in the Carrick-on-Shannon area has expressed concern towards a proposed ban on the use of election posters, saying it "will disadvantage new candidates."

Lola Gonzalez Farrell, who is running for the Social Democrats in the June 7 elections, has said that while she understands the environmental concerns about election posters, they are the best way for candidates to become known to the public.

"I understand a discussion took place at a recent meeting of the local councillors where it was said that the local Tidy Towns organisation would prefer if there was a' no poster' policy," she said.

"Incumbent councillors who are seeking re-election are at an advantage over unelected candidates because they are already known to the public from previous elections, and through their work as councillors for the past five years.

"Any situation which gives an advantage in an election to incumbent councillors is fundamentally bad for our democracy.

"Although it's not a binding requirement, it is custom and practice that candidates will respect a request like that from a Tidy Towns organisation. So I would call for the current councillors to clarify if they will abstain from using posters as discussed.

"I'd also like to know if or how they propose to enforce such a ban," Lola concluded.