Presidential election 2015 in Belarus

“Speaking live on television does help candidates boost their rating. But it is very difficult. It is quite possible that inexperienced candidates will not have the heart to speak on live television, so they can ask to record broadcasts that can be edited,” Lidia Yermoshina explained.

She said that the manager of an initiative group has recently suggested that the Central Election Commission should oblige the Belarusian TV and Radio Company to meet with the candidates beforehand, instruct them, and guide them through the order of the program. “We discussed the issue and agreed that it is a technicality that should be decided by the TV and Radio Company itself. We have already made a verbal request, and the company confirmed that it is ready to provide such consultations,” Lidia Yermoshina noted. Thus, the media company will soon produce an internal document to be approved by Lidia Yermoshina specifying the responsibilities of the Belarusian TV and Radio Company related to the preliminary discussion of all the issues regarding the participation of presidential candidates in TV programs. “The request will be satisfied,” CEC Chairperson said.

Lidia Yermoshina pointed out that every candidate is entitled to publish his/her manifesto for free in certain national and regional newspapers. “The text of the manifesto should be submitted not later than 20 September. By the way, our candidates constantly fail to do it on time,” she noted. The candidates also can buy radio and TV air time, buy space in newspapers and online media with their own money. “All this must be financed by the candidate,” Lidia Yermoshina emphasized.