Gelu: Billboards okay

 Billboards and vehicles with parliamentarians’ images is not a controversial practice and has now become a common sight in public places throughout the country, Political Parties Registrar Alphones Gelu says.

“There is nothing wrong with politicians putting up billboards with their images on,” he said.

 “The billboard has now becoming a common sight.

“It is not unusual as there is no rule at the moment to condemn this practice. 

“It is alright for the MPs to be putting up billboards to show they are delivering services and they want to put their face up. 

“But it is up to the people to make assessments why the billboards with their faces are going up.  

“It’s only the people who will make judgment on these billboards.

“But some candidates for these electorates will not like those billboards. Gelu said although there was nothing wrong with having MPs’ images on vehicles bought with DSIP funds.

It would be reasonable  for these vehicles to be issued Government number plates.

“For me , I would say that Works Department must issue a Z plate for these vehicles bought for schools, ambulances or even churches,” he said. 

“Currently, we don’t see that but we only see the face of an MP on them. And when we see the MP’s face, we know that the MP has used public money to buy that vehicle.  

“I think it will make it better and will not create suspicious if Z plates are fitted on these vehicles.” 

Meanwhile, Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato also expressed similar sentiments while an Ombudsman Commission officer referred The National to the Electoral Commission for comments on the matter.