Mt Lawley MLA Michael Sutherland.
Camera IconMt Lawley MLA Michael Sutherland. Credit: Supplied/Facebook

Mt Lawley MLA Sutherland says polling day ‘propaganda’ creates rubbish for no reason

Giovanni TorreEastern Reporter

MT LAWLEY MLA Michael Sutherland says covering polling booths with propaganda on election day creates a lot of rubbish for no good reason, and wants to ban party volunteers from the booths too.

Mr Sutherland told the Guardian Express “the tradition of elaborate bunting at booths” should be questioned.

“It is estimated that in excess of 30 percent of voters will cast their votes prior to election day,” he said.

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“On election day there are many voters who do not wish to take how-to-vote cards from party workers.

“I believe that how-to-vote cards could be placed in a visible place inside the booths, that is all that is required to assist voters.”

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Mr Sutherland said candidates could still appoint scrutineers for each booth but did not need people to put up advertising material or hand out how-to-vote cards.

“The current situation sees party workers going to booths at ridiculously early times to get the march on their opponents to put up bunting,” he said.

“Unpleasantness very often occurs. To me it is a waste of time, money and effort to continue with this antiquated system.”

A WA Electoral Commission spokeswoman for the Commission said the issue required legislative change and was an issue for State Parliament.

Labor candidate for Mt Lawley Simon Millman said election advertising, at polling booths or elsewhere, was not an issue people had raised with him.

Mr Millman said voters with questions would have no one to ask if party volunteers were banished from polling stations.