Azerbaijan, Baku, 11 August / Trend corr. E.Babayev / Alongside with free air time, the Public TV (PTV) of Azerbaijan is to allocate paid air time for presidential candidates.
"PTV will allocate free and paid air time. We will take into account the financial state of candidates," Ismayil Omarov, Director General of Public TV, told Trend .
Azerbaijan will host the presidential elections on 15 October. The draft on amendments and supplements into the Election Code of Azerbaijan was passed by the Parliament on 2 June. Under the current draft, prohibition has been put on AzTV to broadcast candidate agitation and transformed to PTV.
The cost for paid air time and other similar questions have not been specified yet, Omarov said.
"Heads of private channels assemble to consider the allocated air time and the issue is solved through the chairmanship of the National TV and Radio Council before the elections. Later, the air time is announced. Free air time will be announced as soon as presidential candidates pass registration," Omarov stated.
"A casting of lots will take place with participation of all candidates. Candidates themselves must decide how to use their air time. It means candidates will decide how much time to allocate for their speech and debates. The Central Election Commission will also participate in the process. Candidates themselves must decide how to divide three hours air time. We will carry out their will," Omarov stated.
PTV will keep its neutrality in the elections. "We will create equal conditions for candidates within the framework of international standards," Omarov said.
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