Independent election candidate Ms Marian Harkin has called on Leitrim County Council to clarify its policy on candidates officiating at functions, after an event she was due to open was postponed until after the election.
She said the issue raised "serious questions about interference in the democratic process" by local government officials.
Ms Harkin, who is contesting the general election in the Sligo Leitrim constituency, was asked some weeks ago to open an art exhibition of work by members of the North Leitrim Men's Group. The opening was due to take place on February 12th at the headquarters of Leitrim County Council in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Ms Harkin said yesterday a decision had now been taken to postpone the event until sometime in June or July "without any satisfactory explanation being given".
She said she had no difficulty with guidelines once they were "transparent and equitable". She would like to know if there was an official policy; if any other events had been deferred because of this policy; when it was put in place; how long before an election it comes into force and who ensures it is fairly implemented.
Ms Harkin was initially asked to open the exhibition by an artist working with members of the North Leitrim Men's Group. The group was set up some years ago to help men suffering from rural isolation.
Mr Pat Love, the group's co-ordinator, confirmed yesterday that Ms Harkin was the men's choice and the decision to invite her was taken between them and the artist. He believed the council's explanation for the postponement now was that there had been a double booking. His understanding was that Ms Harkin would still open the exhibition, but after the election sometime in June or July.
Mr Love said he accepted the postponement and did not want the men drawn into a political row. The acting Leitrim county manager, Mr Sean Kielty, was unavailable for comment.
Two weeks ago Ms Harkin also sought similar clarification from RTÉ after a Carrie Crowley Snapshots programme which featured an interview with her was pulled, despite being advertised a week earlier.
A TG4 opinion poll in December found that Ms Harkin was poised to win a seat.
The former chairwoman of the Council for the West received 47,000 first preference votes in the Connacht Ulster constituency in the last election, and was narrowly beaten for a seat by Dana Rosemary Scallon.