To poster or not to poster, that is the question voters are being asked by the Electoral Commission.
They're a familiar sight, some would say blight, ahead of elections, but are they necessary?
Some towns have banned them, such as Abbeyleix in Co Laois, with the local Tidy Town's committee labelling them "unsightly".
While there are penalties for putting posters up too early or leaving them up too long, the pesky cable-ties often linger longer than they should.
An Coimisiún Toghcháin is embarking on a research project examining the use of posters as a political communication tool.
For some, they’re a useful reminder of candidates, but do they advantage bigger parties with deeper pockets?
And do they actually play a part in getting a candidate over the line in an age where voters are faced with political messages on air and online?
So, An Coimisiún Toghcháin wants to hear from the public about their thoughts.
The Commission’s research will "look at the rules and practices around postering in other countries while taking account of Ireland’s particular electoral and democratic system".
"It will examine the existing rules in Ireland and how they work as well as the evidence regarding posters, their objectives and any advantages and disadvantages of their use."
In particular, the Commission wants to focus on the role of posters:
- As a political communication tool in Ireland and elsewhere compared to other methods of political communication, both traditional and online;
- How and whether posters impact political engagement and electoral awareness among the electorate, including amongst people who may be marginalised from the political process;
- Their environmental and safety impacts.
Voters will be asked to think about the pros and cons of election posters, and whether the rules around postering should change.
Participants have until Friday 9 May at 5pm to make their submissions.
