Time is running out for political parties to remove posters
Posters by political parties and the IEC that are not removed within one week will face fines for each poster removed by the municipality.
South Africa – Johannesburg – 22 April 2019 – Motorist are seen driving past election posters in Alberton, a record of 48 political parties will contest this year’s elections, millions of South Africans will flock to voting stations around the country to make their mark on 8 May. Picture: Itumeleng English/African News Agency(ANA)
Political parties will be fined R252 for every poster that is not removed by May 22, according to Mangaung Metro Municipality spokesperson Qondile Khedama. Competing parties are given two weeks after election day to remove their campaign posters, reports Bloemfontein Courant.
“Mangaung Metro is alerting all political parties and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to remove advertising posters that had been put up prior to the 2019 elections held last week,” said Khedama.
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“In line with the city’s Outdoor Advertising Bylaw, Schedule 11, Section 12, all posters within the jurisdiction of Mangaung must be removed 14 days after the date of elections,” he continued.
The Municipal Council approved to waive the prescribed tariffs to display election posters during the run up to General Elections on Wednesday. However, this waiver ends after the prescribed period.
“The Mangaung Metro Council resolved on 4 December 2018 that all political parties as well as the IEC apply for permission on the prescribed form, in terms of the prescribed procedures, to display posters,” said Khedama.
It was was also resolved that parties as well as the IEC be required to pay the prescribed fees, should they fail to remove their posters within the prescribed period.
According to the City of Johannesburg’s outdoor advertising bylaws, posters must be removed within five days after election day or voter registration. If parties fail to do so, the Council will notify the relevant parties to remove posters within ten days.
If this is not adhered to, the Council will remove posters themselves against a prescribed fee per poster.
(Additional reporting by Nica Schreuder)
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