Experts call for eco-friendly election campaigns

AMMAN — Election paraphernalia plays a significant role in ensuring fair elections, but can pose a threat to the environment and public safety, according to experts.

“It is a priority to keep our cities clean, therefore it is important to consider creating designated spaces for election posters and banners,” said Baraa Ahmad, a Jordanian environmentalist.

Almost all election posters are made of corrugated plastic, which is a huge issue, Ahmad noted, suggesting that candidates should start thinking of alternative ways to advertise their candidacy, like poster-free campaigns, or recycle their posters after the election.

Posters are effective, their presence encourages people’s participation, in addition to influencing their decisions, sociologist Hussein Al Khozahe told The Jordan Times.

However, Khozahe expressed his view that, “election posters adversely impact the overall image of cities, therefore it is time to exploit the power of technology and the Internet, through which candidates can convey their messages”.

A statement made available to The Jordan Times on Thursday, said that Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) personnel, together with the Independent Election Commission (IEC), have started removing election posters immediately after the end of the governorate and municipal elections to ensure road safety.

Abeer Nofel, a Jordanian designer, commented that there could be “a more considerate approach to the design and appearance of posters”, adding that poster colours and designs could be coordinated throughout the governorates.