REDLANDS council candidates have launched a movement calling for signs to be banished on election day amid the coronavirus crisis.
The #noelectionsigns movement has been endorsed by 10 council candidates who argue banning signs and keeping campaign volunteers away from polling stations will ensure social distancing is observed on election day.
The candidates met outside council chambers this morning where they practised keeping 1.5 metres apart and urged other candidates to join the campaign.
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Last week the candidates agreed to stay away from pre-polling stations for voter safety but there are concerns it will be open slather for volunteers on election day when ECQ's coronavirus signage rules are relaxed.
From 5am, there are no restrictions on election signs being placed within 100 metres of a polling station.
Division 3 candidate Debbie Stone said it was important to reduce the anxiety of those venturing out of their homes to vote.
So far David Curtin, Lacey Healy, Junita Grosvenor, Wendy Boglary, Claire Richardson, Debbie Stone, Adelia Berridge, Paul Bishop, Hilton Travis and Frannie Ziebarth have endorsed the movement.
"Polling day we are allowed to set up as many signs and volunteers as we want and that has made a lot of people very concerned about their safety," Ms Stone said.
"There is a lot of angst in the community already about having to vote. We can reduce that anxiety and keep people safe by doing this.
"Throughout the day you would normally have volunteers and candidates checking on the signs to make sure they haven't blown over, so you still have that contact throughout the day of extra people who don't need to be out..."
Ms Stone said the candidates would share the movement on social media and had pledged to keep their signs and campaign volunteers away from polling stations tomorrow.
The group are awaiting a response from other candidates.
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