Azerbaijan's ruling party officially waives free air time

“This is new that the Central Election Commission made decision to give four-minute free air time to every candidate for the parliamentary elections. It is experienced for the first time in the world”, deputy executive secretary of the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) Siyavush Novruzov told the party’s website.

Novruzov said only YAP won a right for free air time during the election campaign because according to the election legislation only YAP has a right for free air time because it is only political party having more than 60 registered candidates. Other parties and coalitions couldn’t win the free air time right. But our party waived a right for free air time as it was during the last municipal elections because we prefer to campaign in equal conditions because we don’t fear anyone and our candidates are superior”.

Novruzov said the Central Election Commission created equal conditions for all candidates. “Every candidate has an opportunity to present election program on free air in four minutes not depending on political affiliation and party. This is a factor of equal opportunities created for all candidates. It is very important factor that every candidate has four-minute free air time on Public Television. There is 3-second free air time in the United States and Europe. CNN, BBC give maximum one minute free air time during the elections to the European Parliament. The candidates could air their platform or advertising spots within a minute. CEC decision is a new experience implemented by Azerbaijan. Public Television and state-run newspapers created large campaign opportunities for the candidates”.


/APA/