Regulations issued over political campaign billboards
(CNS): As the campaign season begins, roadside billboards and signs relating to the general election do not require planning permission. However, the National Roads Authority and the Department of Planning have issued regulations to ensure the boards don’t interfere with road safety. Political signs must not exceed 128sqft in size and must adhere to other set parameters. They should not obscure drivers’ lines of sight along roadsides and at intersections, which could create potentially hazardous situations.
While political signs are starting to appear all over the islands, Elections Supervisor Wesley Howell recently told the Cayman Compass that it is only between 1 March and 30 April that the planning department does not require permission for election campaign signs to be erected, once they satisfy criteria such as setbacks, maximum size and maximum height.
The NRA and planning said that signs placed in medians pose a danger to individuals as they distract motorists whilst driving and increase the potential for severe collisions, especially on roadways with higher speed limits.
“No political sign/billboard of any size or height may be placed anywhere within a public road median,” according to the regulations, though some boards have already been placed down the centre of several roads, including the Easterly Tibbetts Highway in West Bay.
The planning department or the NRA may order the removal or relocation of any political sign that constitutes a hazard to the public. CNS has contacted both entities about the signs already placed on medians and we are awaiting a response.
Other restrictions include the proximity of signs to the roads. On straight sections, no sign greater than 24 inches in height may be closer than 10 feet to the edge of the road. Political signs less than 24 inches in height may not be closer than five feet to the edge. On bends, billboards greater than 24 inches in height may be no closer than 30 feet to the closest edge. At intersections, signs 24 inches and over must be 30 feet from the closest edge of the pavement.
Officials said all of these measures are being implemented to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians during the upcoming election season.
The issue of political billboards has been an issue over the last few years, as some politicians have continued to post billboards without planning permission since the last election.
Check out the CNS Election Section interactive map to see who is running in each constituency.
See the list of candidates and their party affiliations here.
Category: Election News
Change writes: Every constituency has the same issue when their MP becomes a minister. It is not that they stop caring about their area, but Cabinet members have no choice but to tackle issues at national level, and that takes budget, meetings, reports, travel, conference calls, sitting with lawyers to streamline bills and laws — all […]
As for Cayman Brac – none of the signs are within the guidelines set forth – but hey this is Cayman Brac.
Just in time for us to get free plywood shutters for the upcoming hurricane season.
(A Claptrap’s Romantic Interest Commentary on Caymanmunda’s Billboard Bureaucracy—Now Featuring Shameless Immigration Propaganda!)
Ah, Caymanmunda! Where election campaigns aren’t just about winning votes—they’re about shoving legislation down your throat via oversized, sun-faded billboards!
Because why bother with public debate, transparency, or actual policy discussions when you can just slap your agenda on a giant piece of plastic and hope people stop thinking?
And this isn’t just any campaign billboard.
Oh no. This masterpiece of visual pollution comes with a friendly public service announcement:
Yes, that’s right! The same horrifically bad immigration policy we’ve already torn to shreds is now being sold to the public through election propaganda.
Imagine being a cruise ship tourist, stepping off the dock, ready to explore paradise—
Only to be greeted by a giant political poster telling you to support an immigration policy you don’t even understand.
• “Honey, is this a campaign ad or a legal requirement?”
• “I don’t know, but I think we just voted for something by accident.”
Nothing screams “democracy in action” quite like demanding public support via roadside signage!
The Ministry of Signs and Wonders has now issued strict regulations on where, how, and when campaign billboards can be displayed. Because, as we all know, the real threat to democracy isn’t corruption, nepotism, or garrison politics—it’s signs standing in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Let’s break this down:
Because in Caymanmunda, nothing says “free and fair elections” quite like an overregulated piece of laminated cardboard.
But wait, there’s more! The best part of this billboard drama?
They’re positioned RIGHT where cruise tourists take a stroll!
That’s right—nothing says “Caymankind” quite like a giant, sun-faded, typo-ridden campaign poster greeting visitors as they step off the ship, advertising the finest garrison politics, broken promises, and generic slogans money can buy.
“Welcome to the Cayman Islands! Please enjoy our beautiful beaches, rich culture, and—oh look!—a political billboard reminding you that even paradise has nonsense!”
If the goal was to make sure tourists left with lasting memories, then mission accomplished. They’ll return home with:
Photos of the beach.
Memories of overpriced cocktails.
A selfie with a political billboard they don’t understand.
Nothing quite screams “world-class destination” like forcing visitors to walk through a maze of oversized political propaganda before they can even buy a cheap souvenir.
Some islands advertise their history, natural beauty, or local artisans to tourists.
Caymanmunda? We showcase our candidates’ best attempts at graphic design xenophobia and isolationist ideology!
Under these exciting new billboard laws, candidates must now:
• Follow specific size restrictions (so their lies aren’t too big).
• Place signs only in designated areas (so their faces haunt your morning commute from the correct locations).
• Remove billboards by a strict deadline (because leaving them up would imply accountability).
Meanwhile, there are NO regulations on:
Candidates making false promises.
Politicians switching parties immediately after election day.
Officials avoiding real debates.
Leaders vanishing after securing their seats.
But hey, at least we’ve controlled the existential threat of incorrectly placed campaign posters!
Of course, these new billboard rules will be enforced with the same efficiency as Caymanmunda’s traffic laws—meaning:
• MLAs will ignore the rules entirely.
• Billboards will still pop up everywhere.
• Some poor civil servant will be tasked with enforcing a law that nobody takes seriously.
And in a beautiful twist of irony, the only signs guaranteed to remain standing for years are the faded, neglected “Vote for Me” billboards of candidates who lost two elections ago.
Because if there’s one thing Caymanmunda excels at, it’s never removing outdated garbage (well that and recycling its political scene , the only change being the party they align with , depending on day of the week)
At this point, why even bother with an election?
Let’s just let billboards decide everything.
Because apparently, if you put something on a giant sign, it becomes law.
So let’s recap:
Election billboards are already a circus.
We’ve now turned them into legislative propaganda.
Cruise tourists are being dragged into our policy failures—before they even get a piña colada.
This is what Caymanmunda considers “progress.”
Meanwhile, while our leaders are forcing political ads down our throats, nothing has changed about:
The cost of living.
The failing public services.
The rising crime.
The lack of government accountability.
But hey—at least we’ve got new billboard regulations!
Meanwhile, cruise tourists will be walking past our world-famous political billboards, scratching their heads, and wondering:
“Do they vote based on policy? Or just based on who has the biggest sign?” (Well its actually about who offers the biggest free fridges ladden to the brim with frozen turkeys)
Three of our prominent MP “LAWMAKERS” are “LAWBREAKERS”.
MP McKeeva Bush was the first to have unlawful large political signage outside the election time.
MP McKeeva Bush’s obedient followers Dwayne John Seymour (John John) and Kenneth Bryan dutifully followed and erected their unlawful signage.
Why have these Election Law, Planning Law and Roads Law violations been allowed by these government organizations, the Deputy Governor Mr Manderson and the Attorney General Mr Bulgin?
This is another example of how our laws only apply to some people and not to others.
Tear down those signs Mrs Pandohie! Starting with Kenny’s illegal ones that have been scarring our once beautiful islands for the past four years!
Too late the rinky dink plywood signs are already obstructing and degrading this island’s ambience and beauty and what’s left of it.
Welcome to Cayrock!