Updated | Labor and Libs agree not to hand out any how-to-vote leaflets at Sutherland Shire council election

The Labor and Liberal teams in the Sutherland Shire Council election have agreed not to hand out any how-to-vote material on election day or during pre-polling and have called on other candidates to do the same.

The surprise move goes beyond the NSW Electoral Commission's confirmed ban on the distribution of such material within 100 metres of polling booths or pre-poll centres.

In a joint statement, team leaders Michael Forshaw (Labor) and Carmelo Pesce (Liberal) supported the new rules and said they would go further.

"These new measures make a lot of sense," Cr Forshaw said.

"We must put the public's health first at this election.

"Labor has therefore decided that we will not be handing out how-to-votes at any polling place in the shire even beyond the 100-metre boundary."

Cr Pesce said the Liberals had also decided not to man the polling booths for the purpose of handing out campaign material.

"We believe the intent of the new regulations is to provide a COVID safe environment," he said.

"We fully support that objective and therefore will not be handing out materials at the council election."

Cr Forshaw and Cr Pesce said "campaign workers can still be present at polling booths to provide advice if requested by voters".

They called on all other candidates not to hand out campaign material at pre-poll or on election day.

Independent candidates have told the Leader the 100-metre rule will put them at at a disadvantage to the major parties.

Electoral Commissioner John Schmidt issued the direction under the powers which were provided in legislation passed by State Parliament in October.

Campaign posters will also be banned within 100 metres unless they are put up before 7am and not adjusted or altered in any way until after 7pm.

The commission's website says "Breaking electoral material laws during the regulated period for an election is a criminal offence, and the NSW Electoral Commission monitors and enforces compliance".

In October, a spokesman for Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock said the government was working with the commissioner "to ensure council elections are conducted under as normal conditions as possible and sincerely hopes to see candidates and campaign workers able to canvass outside of polling places".

Clarification has been sought on whether the 100 metre limit applies from the gates or the room in which votes are cast. At some polling booths such as schools, there can be a considerable distance between the two.