Move to slash political visual pollution

PANAMA City Mayor Jose Blandon is asking the Electoral Tribunal (TE)  to recommend to the National Commission on Electoral Reform (NCSR) changes that would force campaigning politicians to lead by example and eliminate much of the visual pollution they create as they vie for office and the cookie jar.

In  a note, he  asked the TE to recommend including an article  prohibiting  placement of election propaganda in public easements.

The mayor said that the move is necessary to prohibit election propaganda  fixed to sidewalks, curbs and centre isles.

“The proposal reflects the need to prevent the high visual pollution suffered by the population due to massive collation of all types of structures and advertising elements, used as voteing propaganda,” he said.

Blandon Figueroa added that in many cases the structures jeopardize vehicle traffic. Also, it has become an obstacle for pedestrians, includingthe  “last election”.

“It remains  to cut structures on the easement, which produce injuries to pedestrians and serves vector breeding,” he said.

The CNRE has been discussing since January a package of amendments to the Code.