Over 700 election posters have been reported to the City of Copenhagen, and hundreds have already been taken down by municipal workers following complaints of illegal placement and traffic hazards.
Hundreds of Election Posters Reported in Copenhagen
Hundreds of election posters across Copenhagen have been reported to the city for violating placement rules ahead of the upcoming local elections. According to newly released data, between October 24 and November 7, citizens submitted more than 760 reports through the city’s “Giv et praj” service, a tool where residents can anonymously flag issues like damaged sidewalks or improperly hung election materials.
Of the 764 reported locations, 118 were dismissed as invalid. The city has already closed around 540 cases, while others remain listed as “open” in the system. In many of these cases, municipal employees found posters mounted too early, attached unlawfully to trees or fences, or placed too close to roads, potentially obstructing drivers’ visibility.
Posters Removed Ahead of Election Rules
Election campaigns officially kicked off on October 25 at noon, when political candidates were allowed to start hanging posters in public areas. Within just a few days, city staff had already taken down 376 posters, typically those considered a safety risk for traffic.
City rules state that when a violation is identified, the responsible campaign team is notified and must remove the poster within 24 hours. If not, city employees will remove the poster themselves. This procedure ensures that signs do not distract drivers or block intersections.
Even so, closed cases sometimes remain visible around the city. In those instances, the municipality explains that once an inspection has been completed or a removal deemed unnecessary, the case can be closed in the system.
Fines and Costs After Elections
Candidates who fail to comply with posting deadlines can face bills for the cost of removing their campaign materials. The city is authorized to take down posters that appear too early or are left hanging after the permitted time frame. Taken-down posters are stored temporarily, and campaigns are notified about where to retrieve them.
The exact cost of this cleanup effort will be determined after the election. Campaigns are given up to eight days after the election concludes to remove their signs. Only then will the city calculate the total expenses before sending invoices to the relevant parties.
Different Rules Apply to Private Roads
While most posters line public streets and light poles, the rules are even stricter for private shared roads, known in Danish as “private fællesveje.” On these roads, election posters cannot be hung on trees, fences, or any structures without explicit permission from the property owner.
If a poster on a private shared road is deemed a traffic hazard, the municipality can still remove it without prior notice. Otherwise, it is up to the candidate or campaign team to do it themselves within 24 hours if the city issues an order. The municipality may then bill the campaign afterward for the removal costs.
For residents wanting to verify if a road qualifies as a private shared road, the official map on the national platform highlights them in dark blue. Understanding this distinction is important because many misunderstand where different rules apply when hanging posters during election season.
Public Can Still Report Unlawful Posters
Citizens who notice illegally hung or damaged posters that remain in place can continue submitting reports through the “Giv et praj” system until the campaign period ends. The City of Copenhagen encourages residents to include the approximate address, description of the issue, and a photo when submitting a report.
For voters, understanding these local election logistics complements broader electoral preparation, like checking an assigned ballot via Din stemmeseddel or reviewing official results after the election closes. Managing campaign signs may seem minor, but it reflects the city’s broader effort to keep this year’s municipal and regional elections orderly and safe for all voters.
Sources and References
DR: Se kortet: Hundredvis af valgplakater meldt til kommunen
DR: Kommunal- og regionsvalg
DR: Din stemmeseddel
DR: Valgresultater
