MINSK, 15 November (BelTA) – Presidential candidates are supposed to make their speeches on radio and television on 22 November – 3 December, said Chairperson of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Lidia Yermoshina as she met with OSCE ODIHR observers on 15 November. According to Lidia Yermoshina, after the candidates are registered, a random draw will determine when every candidate will make their speeches. The head of Belarus’ CEC underlined that during the present election campaign the National Teleradiocompany has managed to provide prime time to the candidates. Their speeches will be broadcast at 19:00-20:00 on weekdays, when most voters return home and watch TV. On radio their speeches will be broadcast at 6:00-7:10 when most people eat breakfast before leaving for work. Lidia Yermoshina believes the new time periods are more preferable in comparison with 2006 when candidates were expected to make their speeches at 8:00-9:00 on radio and at 18:00-19:00 on television. The CEC head reminded that it is the first time in Belarus that presidential candidates can participate in televised debates. Asked whether these debates can be live instead of records, Lidia Yermoshina said that they were discussing the possibility with representatives of the National Teleradiocompany. All the organizational issues will be resolved by 26 November, the deadline for filing an application for taking part in the televised debates.

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