National radio and TV channels will hold electoral debates six days a week

The national “Radio Moldova” station and “Moldova 1” TV channel will air electoral debates occasioned by the general local elections of June 3 six days a week, 90 minutes per day. According to the internal Regulations on the coverage of the election campaign, the debates will be held from Monday till Saturday, except for May. On “Moldova 1”, the debates will be broadcast between 8.15-9.00 and 19.40-20.25, while on “Radio Moldova” between 9.45-10.00 and 18.15-19.00. There will be also organised electoral debates attended by candidates for mayor of Chisinau. Representatives of political parties “who have candidates all over the country” will take part in the other programmes designed for debates. The Regulations also provides the pricelist for electoral advertising. Thus, a one-minute ad on “Radio Moldova” will cost EUR 35, while on “Moldova 1” – EUR 300. In compliance with the Regulations earlier approved by the Central Election Commission (CEC), the parties, electoral blocks and social-political organisations will benefit from free airtime on public radio and TV stations. The 30-minute publicity can be placed without charge on “Moldova 1”, while the 60-minute publicity – on “Radio Moldova”. Five minutes on TV and ten minutes on radio will be provided to each independent candidate. The minimum duration of an electoral spot will be 20 seconds, while the daily volume of electoral advertising is 3 minutes on TV and 5 minutes on radio. The private radio stations and TV channels have also the right to moderate debates, but they must announce CEC about this in advance.