David Hick

Is it just me, or is this crazy?

Advance voting is under way and for two weeks, voters are bombarded with hoardings, political promises, polls, radio ads and TV debates – while they’re voting.

Each election, it seems, more and more voters cast their vote early – more than 60 percent at the last election.

Oh, there are rules at these early voting places.

No hoardings etc within 10 metres of voting-place entrances.

“Get the tape measure and traffic cones out. Heaven forbid if democracy strays 10 centimetres too close.”

Then Saturday, November 7, arrives – Election Day – hoardings down, advertising stopped.

And, be careful what you post on social media. Politicians silenced. The birds can sing again.

And it’s not as if nobody has noticed. The Independent Electoral Review recommended changing the election-day advertising rules.

Crazy? Surely it’s time to change the rules, not just measure the distance.