AN SDLP council candidate has said he plans to replace election posters stolen in Co Armagh after he was told a "party like yours" would not get votes in the area.
Oisín Edwards, who is seeking a seat on Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council in next month's election, erected four posters in the Waringstown area last Thursday as part of his campaign.
He revealed on Sunday that the posters have since been removed, and said that after placing them on lampposts, he was shouted at by a man who objected to them being erected.
In a social media post, Mr Edwards said the incident was "despicable", adding he would not be fettered from "standing up for the local community".
The theft is the latest incident of election posters being removed in areas across the north since the council election campaign officially got underway earlier this month.
Mr Edwards, who said he did not report the incident to police, told the Irish News Thursday's incident made him feel "very unwelcome" in the area, but said he would continue to campaign in order to show voters "I'm still here".
"This was a man expressing his views that he would not be voting for the SDLP," Mr Edwards said.
"He told me 'a party like yours won't be getting much votes in this area'.
"I'm new to the political arena, and incidents like this make you feel very unwelcome, but it's part of the rough and tumble of politics and I'm just here to give people the option in a democratic society to exercise their right to vote for change.
"Yes, it was in a predominantly unionist area, but I want to be able to represent everyone regardless of their background. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs, but I would like to see people voice concerns in a more positive and progressive manner. We all live in the same part of the world after all."
The candidate for the Lagan River DEA said he would replace posters in Waringstown, but acknowledged they could be removed once again.
"I intend to put another couple up regardless, to show people that I'm still here."
Among party colleagues to show support for Mr Edwards was South Belfast SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole, who tweeted in response to the incident: "More power to your elbow Oisín".
Newry, Mourne and Down council candidate for the party, Laura Devlin, said the theft and confrontation was "shocking", adding: "You just keep up the good work! Hard to keep a good one down!"
