Tidy Towns asked not to factor in election posters during adjudication process

Tidy Towns competition adjudicators will not penalise communities where election posters are displayed if they comply with legislation, the Dáil has heard.

As the final countdown to the local and European elections is under way, campaign posters were erected across the city and county in recent days.

Under litter legislation, posters are permitted up to one calendar month before polling day, which fell at midnight last Wednesday, May 8.

If the adjudication period of the TidyTowns competition coincides with an election, adjudicators are aware that election posters may be displayed. We have advised adjudicators that posters in place within the allowed timeframes should not impact on any TidyTowns scoring. pic.twitter.com/ssTFdO9Ht1

— TidyTowns Ireland (@TidyTownsIre) May 10, 2024

Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys spoke in the Dáil as before the competition opens each year officials from her department meet competition sponsor SuperValu and the adjudicators.

"If the adjudication period of the Tidy Towns competition coincides with an election, adjudicators are aware that election posters may be displayed. We have advised adjudicators that posters in place within the allowed timeframes should not impact on any TidyTowns scoring."

This year’s competition was launched on March 23 and Wednesday, May 8 was the closing date for applicants. Adjudication takes place in June and July over a six weeks and it is expected over 900 towns and villages will participate.