In the Irkutsk region, the draw for free airtime for four candidates for governor took place. Each will get 60 minutes on AIST, Russia 1, the IrGTU educational channel, and Radio Russia, and campaigning starts August 15. Special interest is the planned debates. They will be held at different times on several channels, allowing voters to compare the candidates positions live.
On August 11, a draw was held at the regional Election Commission to allocate free airtime on state broadcasting channels among four candidates for the office of governor of the region – Sergey Eroshchenko ("United Russia"), Oleg Kuznetsov (LDPR), Larisa Egorova ("A Just Russia"), and Sergey Levchenko (Communist Party of the Russian Federation).This was reported by the press service of the Irkutsk Region Election Commission.
Each candidate received 60 minutes of airtime on the TV channels "AIST," "Rossiya 1," and the "IrSTU Educational Channel," and 60 minutes of airtime on "Radio Rossii."
All media outlets provided airtime for the candidates to hold joint campaign events.
On the "AIST" TV channel, the candidates will take part in debates on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the programs airing at 18:40. On the "IrSTU Educational Channel," programs featuring the gubernatorial candidates will air every day starting August 17 at 18:30. On the "Rossiya 1" TV channel, the debates will be broadcast at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Campaigning will begin on August 15.