Updated at 17:53,27-03-2024

Belarusian Television not ready to hold debates live

Charter-97

The Central Election Commission has passed a document on holding debates between presidential candidates.

TV debates are to take place at the First National Channel from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., radio debates from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m., "Radio Svaboda" reports.

Andrei Dzmitryeu, the head of Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu’s initiative group, asked to include a provision to the document about holding the debates live.

According to Dzmitryeu, it would allow to avoid complains about cutting out or distorting something by workers of TV channels.

The headof the CEC Lidziya Yarmoshyna makes a reference to the explanation of the management of the Belarusian TV and Radio Company, that the company is still not ready for televised debates transmitted live.

Not only candidates for the presidential position can take part in the debates, but their electioneering agents as well.

"Candidates for presidency will have a right to publish their platforms for free in four national newspapers, six regional and one city newspaper," the CEC member Nadzeja Kisyalyova said.

The text of an electoral programme should take no more than 5 typewritten pages. It is to be received by the editorial office of the newspaper before November 28, in paper or digital form.