THE theft of election posters in Lisburn and Co Tyrone has been condemned as "anti-democratic".
Posters were removed from the Lisburn's Old Warren area last weekend, days after they were erected by Dee French who is standing in the Lisburn South DEA for Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.
Mr French, who reported the removal of the posters to police, said he was "extremely disappointed" at learning they had been taken down.
"I am determined to be a cross-community representative that everyone in this area can be proud of and there should be no areas where candidates are made to feel intimidated or unwelcome," he said.
“I had hoped we were past the stage where candidates would regularly see their posters removed or vandalised and I know that the people behind this act do not speak for those living in the Old Warren area.
"Every candidate should be able to campaign in the constituency where they are running for election and anything seeking to prevent that is an attack on democracy."
Meanwhile, independent candidate for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Emmet McAleer, said four of his posters had been removed from the Co Tyrone village of Loughmacrory.
A statement on behalf of Mr McAleer, who is standing as an anti-gold mining candidate for the Mid-Tyrone DEA, said he called on all council candidates "to make clear their disgust" at the thefts.
"That such anti-democratic, criminal, dirty tactics should happen so early in the election has to be a cause for concern and we all have a duty to respond appropriately and quickly," the statement added.
A PSNI spokesperson said officers were investigating a report of theft and criminal damage of posters in the Warren Gardens area of Lisburn on Monday morning.
They added the force is "committed to doing everything we can to ensure all candidates can participate fully in the forthcoming local council elections free from harassment, intimidation and other forms of criminality".
"We will thoroughly investigate all incidents which are reported to us, including the damage to and removal of election posters, and any identified suspects will be liable to prosecution," they said.
"Anyone who witnesses the damage or theft of election posters is asked to contact police on 101 immediately."
