Presidential election 2015 in Belarus

MINSK, 22 September (BelTA) – The candidates for the post of the President of Belarus are provided with equal conditions for campaigning and enjoy the right to address the mass media audience, reads the interim report prepared by the CIS election observation mission, BelTA has learned.

“The mission believes that, in general, the campaigning period has started and is progressing in compliance with the Belarusian law. The presidential candidates are provided with equal conditions for presenting their programs and holding meetings with voters,” the document reads.

The observers state that, according to one of the resolutions of the Central Election Commission of Belarus, the candidates have a right to publish their election programs in central and regional newspapers for free.

Besides, each presidential candidate gets two 30-minute sessions of free-of-charge air time on the Belarus One TV Channel and the First National Channel of the Belarusian Radio each.

“The speaking order was decided through a draw,” the report says.

The candidates also can buy radio and TV air time, buy space in newspapers and online media with their own money.

The presidential candidates will also take part in TV debates.

The report reads that the election campaign is widely covered by print media, in social networks and on different internet portals.