They continue there. Election banners remain on display after last Friday, and the district election board called for their immediate withdrawal on Sunday. The banners have not yet been removed, and a second complaint has been filed by the PSOE before the board.
Two days after posters were hung along the city’s main streets, including Juan Bautista Lafora, Aguilera, Elche, Gran Via, Jaime II and La Cantera, the district election board acted at the request of the Socialists. The board cited Article 55 of the General Election Regime Organization Law, which requires city councils to reserve special spaces for political posters and to remove banners placed on utility poles when such spaces are available. The board emphasized that a formal poster system should be used where appropriate.
The issue goes beyond the placement of posters. Opposition parties contend they were not given a fair chance to comply. The body ruled that the immediate removal of the propaganda was necessary, noting a prior extrajudicial objection and pointing to a 2019 decision in which a similar complaint was dismissed on technical grounds.
New complaint
Alicante’s PSOE filed a fresh complaint on Tuesday after allowing the PP more than 24 hours to comply with the board’s ruling. The complaint asserts that the leading party, Barcala, ignored the decision and that banners continued to hang in the same locations.
Posters of politicians: From forced smiles to Photoshop excesses
The socialist filing highlights a recurring pattern of campaign imagery used by the opposition. The document describes broad allegations about the People’s Party showing a lack of willingness to cooperate with the city’s rules. It also notes that the City Council continues to violate its obligation to reserve space for free election advertising by entities taking part in municipal elections.
Banners featuring Barcala were photographed near the Postiguet beach, underscoring the ongoing dispute over poster placements.
There is a call for the City Council to withdraw these posters within a short timeframe and to refer the matter to the appropriate investigative authorities if necessary. The case is framed as a potential electoral offense pending further review by the courts.
As observed, by mid-morning on Tuesday, May 16, a number of advertisements remained on major thoroughfares such as PAU 5 and nearby streets. Local officials attempted to obtain clarification from the People’s Party regarding any planned withdrawal, but no official explanation was provided.