The bill is aimed at raising awareness of voters about the candidates, identifying and supporting opinion leaders, said Vice-speaker of the state Duma, Secretary of General Council of “United Russia” Sergei Neverov.
MOSCOW, 11 Dec –. Vice-speaker of the state Duma, Secretary of General Council of “United Russia” Sergey Neverov has submitted for consideration chambers the bill requiring political candidates to participate in televised debates, in case of refusal they will lose airtime in favor of the opponents.
“The draft Federal law… implies the participation of electoral associations and registered candidates for joint campaign events (debates) on the channels of state and municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations”, — stated in the explanatory Memorandum.
Also, the bill provides the possibility of personal participation in debates of candidates, including on behalf of the electoral associations, candidates, registered in the composition of lists of candidates, in the course of the Russian elections of any level.
“The project provides that in case of violation of requirements for mandatory participation of an electoral Association, a candidate in the debate, due to them airtime goes to the opponent (opponents),” — said in the explanatory note.
The author notes that the bill is aimed at raising awareness of voters about the candidates, identifying and supporting opinion leaders
