Election? What election?

We have driven around 260 miles yesterday, crossing Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey and Kent. On our way we passed just four campaigning posters about the forthcoming EU election. Of these 3 were UKIP and 1 was from the Lib-Dems. Quite honestly, I was expecting to see a lot more and I'm sure that roadsides in past elections were festooned with exhortations to vote. If the political parties are not promoting their causes actively 'on the streets', is it any wonder that there is widespread voter apathy?