In accordance with legislation posters for the 2024 Local Elections will only be permitted on suitable lamp standards from Wednesday 8th May 2024 until Friday 14th June 2024 (midnight).

Postering Guidelines

How many days before an election can candidates erect posters?

Election posters may only be erected either:

• 30 days before the poll date or
• from the date the polling day order for the election has been made (whichever is shorter.)

The 2024 local elections will be held on 7th June, therefore the earliest date that election posters can be erected is 8th May. Posters must be removed within 7 days of polling day. Any election poster in place before or after the stipulated timeframe are deemed to be in breach of the legislation and are subject to an on-the-spot litter fine of €150.

Can posters be put up on billboards?

Yes. This is commercial advertising and as such, any person may purchase this advertising space at any time of the year to advertise their product/service, subject to the relevant planning regulations.

Can people have vehicles with election/referendum slogans printed on the side?

Yes. This is not an offence. However, Section 19 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 does make it an offence to place adverts (e.g. flyers) on mechanically propelled vehicles unless they are secured by mechanical means. This, for example, prohibits the placement of flyers under wiper blades.

Can posters be removed?

Yes. Local authorities are responsible for the removal of posters which constitute a hazard to either pedestrians or road users. The Road Traffic Acts makes it an offence to erect any sign or notice that makes a traffic sign less visible to road users (Road Traffic Act 1961, Section 95, Subsection 14).  Electoral law also prohibits erection of posters in the polling station, in the grounds attached to, or in the curtilage of, the polling station and within 50m of the curtilage of the polling station.

Does the name and address of the printer and publisher have to be printed on the poster?

Yes. Legislation requires that every poster distributed by any candidate at an election must have printed on its face the name and address of the printer and of the publisher thereof. The omission of same is an offence, liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €634.87.

Are there any planning requirements for election posters?

Part 2 of Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2023 provides that the erection of election posters is exempted development subject to certain conditions.

Where can posters be erected so they do not cause a disruption to road users?

The Road Traffic Acts contain requirements in relation to maintaining clear lines of sight for road users which may impact on where posters can be placed, e.g. not on road signs, at traffic junctions or on roundabouts where they may cause road safety risks. It is an offence to erect any sign or notice that makes a traffic sign less visible to road users (Road Traffic Act 1961, Section 95, Subsection 14).

Those erecting posters should exercise extreme caution when on or near roadways and should be aware of their own and other road users physical safety, e.g. crossing busy roads, obstructing footpaths, parking of vehicles etc.

The following guidelines may be helpful in ensuring that posters are not a hazard to the public:

• Posters should be erected at a minimum height of 2.3 metres above footpaths, cycle tracks or any area to which pedestrians have access.
• Posters should not be erected on lamp standards with overhead line electricity feed, traffic signal poles, bridge parapets, overpasses, pedestrian bridges, or roadside traffic barriers.
• Posters should not obscure statutory road signs or traffic/pedestrian signals in any way.
• Posters should be securely fixed to poles with cable ties or similar material to facilitate removal without damage to the poles. Please note that cable ties be should be removed when the posters are being taken down.