Presidential debate scheduled for 1st of September

Public service broadcaster, Maldives Broadcasting Corporation has stated that the presidential debate has been scheduled for 1st of September 2013.

Managing Director MBC Mohamed Shafeeq Mahmoud told Sun today that the corporation is holding discussions with the relevant political parties to define the basic procedures and principles of the debate. He said that all four candidates who have now declared to compete in the presidential, will participate in the debate.

The corporation will provide free airtime from Television Maldives and Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu for the candidates to broadcast their campaign pledges, starting next month.

Shafeeq said that the special programs by the two state run TV and radio channels will be participated the presidential candidates themselves and that they will also include a question and answer segment open for the public.

“To provide time for the presidential candidates, we’ll show four programs for four candidates, starting from next month. The programs will be held in Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu. TVM will also broadcast them live. Opportunity to field questions will be open during the program,” Shafeeq said.

Titled “Siyaasee Fendaa” (Political Meeting-place), Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu and TVM provided free airtime for all parties who competed in the presidential race of 2008, the first multi-party presidential elections held in the country.

Article 38 (c) of the law governing MBC states that the channels run by the corporation shall provide airtime to the candidates competing in national and local elections, to the duration of the campaign, and in an equal and fair manner.