BANNERS erected in North Down linking the Alliance Party to the IRA have been described as "shameful".
The printed banners appeared over the weekend in Newtownards and Bangor, and follow Assembly candidates across the north reporting instances of intimidation and poster theft and vandalism during the campaign ahead of Thursday's election.
Erected at roundabouts where they can be seen by motorists, the banners featuring "IRA" claim the Alliance Party is "in alliance with the republican movement".
The party's candidates in the North Down constituency said the banners have been reported to police.
Their appearance follow recent reports of Alliance candidates being the target of verbal abuse while canvassing.
The party's West Tyrone candidate Stephen Donnelly was "ambushed and subjected to the vilest personal abuse" in Omagh last week.
That followed Upper Bann candidate Eóin Tennyson being told he was not welcome in a "Protestant area" while canvassing in Lurgan.
Connie Egan, who is standing for Alliance in North Down, said the newly erected banners targeting her party would not discourage the party's campaigning in the area before Thursday.
"It is increasingly disappointing that those intent on interfering with the democratic process insist on spreading fake news designed to divide and scaremonger. The principle of free and fair elections must be upheld," she said.
"This is shameful and wrong and I urge all others candidates running in North Down to also unequivocally condemn erection of these banners. We cannot allow this type of behaviour to hold us back."
Fellow Alliance candidate for the constituency, Nick Mathison, added: "Not only is this banner disingenuous, but it’s also dangerous – putting Alliance candidates North Down and Strangford, along with all our canvassers and supporters at risk. This cannot go on."
The Irish News contacted the PSNI for comment last night.
Meanwhile, People Before Profit have revealed their East Belfast candidate was physically assaulted and faced "sectarian and misogynistic" abuse while canvassing last month in an estate.
Hannah Kenny was held by the throat and arm by three men who told her she would face violence if she returned to the area, a party spokesperson said.
"I do not wish to dwell on the details of the incident other than to say I am deeply distressed at the level of aggression shown towards me for simply delivering election material," Ms Kenny said of the assault on April 23, which has been reported to police.
"The fact that these men told me I had been identified from the election campaign posters in the area before going on to assault me has been deeply disturbing."
Other parties to have faced recent intimidation while campaigning include the SDLP, whose South Belfast candidate Elsie Trainor was chased and assaulted by two youths in Ormeau Park after they were spotted removing election posters.
