THE eThekwini EXCO approved a report calling for the waiving of restrictive advertising by-laws in the city in the run-up to the national local government elections.
Some of the recommendations approved include:
• The number of posters be restricted to 800 per party per ward. Only two posters back-to-back can be hung per party per pole;
• The current prescribed tariffs be waived; instead applications will be accompanied by a deposit of R200 for every ward where posters will be placed;
• That election/registration posters only be permitted on council electricity poles and not on directional signs and traffic lights. This also applied to the city centre. The poster shall not be erected at a height less than 2.5 metres from the underside of the poster to the ground. Posters cannot be displayed on walls, trees or bridges with all posters displayed on electricity poles;
• Ruth First (M4 north-bound), Inkosi Albert Luthuli freeway (southern) and Higginson Highway are open to outdoor advertising only three weeks before elections. Only flying banners are permitted;
• The beachfront is also open to outdoor advertising three weeks before elections as well as the use of wall murals for election purposes;
• Only standard A1 size posters are permitted.
All applications will still be done via the general advertising branch of the Development Planning, Management and Environment Unit to ensure compliance with other aspects of municipal by-laws. This approval is limited to the 2016 Local Government Elections only.
After the election period, failure to remove posters will result in the municipality removing and recovering any costs incurred from the political party concerned at the rate of R50 per poster.
