The signs feature a photo of Local Government Minister Paul Toole and the words “Oberon Betrayed By Toole” and are part of an ongoing community campaign against the state government’s plan to forcibly merge Bathurst Regional Council and Oberon Council.

Two of the signs had been posted outside the federal election pre-polling booth in Howick Street but they disappeared overnight on Monday.

The anti-amalgamation Facebook page made it clear who was being blamed for the signs’ removal.

“Now we have the Nationals removing signs that do not belong to them,” a post on the page read.

“I say it is theft, they should put them back or be known as thieves.”

The page announced that a complaint had been made about the signs.

“On checking with authorities it was deemed not within their authority to do so,” the post’s author said.

​“The signs were left alone, however they have since been removed mysteriously.”

Mr Toole, who has been in parliament all week, said he has only just been made aware of the existence of the signs and said he had not complained about them. But he thought it was curious that they had been on display at pre-polling for the federal seat of Calare.

“I didn’t think I was running for federal parliament,” Mr Toole said.

“I wish I could be in two places at once, but unfortunately, I can’t because I’ve been in Sydney delivering the state budget. I haven’t been at the pre-polling booth this week.”

Mr Toole said staff at his electoral office – which is across the street from the pre-polling booth – had not made the complaint about the signs either.

The Electoral Commission confirmed this, saying the complaint had come from a Nationals representative working at pre-polling. 

Anti-Amalgamation Group spokeswoman Marj Armstrong said the group was keen to make amalgamations an issue in Calare because they believed it was as much a federal issue as a state issue. 

“We need to let the Nationals know we are not happy,” Ms Armstrong said.

Calare divisional returning officer Dimity McKenzie said whether the signs should be taken down was not the electoral commission’s call. 

“Paul Toole is a state member and this is a federal election,” Ms McKenzie said. “If the signs are on the footpath and the parties have a problem, it is a matter for council or the police.”

A Bathurst Regional Council spokesperson said no-one from council removed the signs. 

The Oberon Anti-Amalgamation Group is not deterred by their loss, stating they have more of these signs. 

“The signs are truthful, Toole has betrayed Oberon,” another Facebook post reads. 

“Sorry Nationals please at least play the game honestly, we here in Oberon already feel badly let down by the Nationals and in particular by Paul Toole. He certainly has betrayed Oberon.”