TV and radio stations have determined the cost of one minute of election campaign advertising for the May 5, 2013 Yerevan Council of Aldermen (or Council of the Elders) elections.

According to the Electoral Code of the Republic of Armenia, the advertising rate cannot exceed the average rate of commercial advertising in the six months immediately preceding the call for elections and cannot be changed till the end of the campaign period.

The most expensive rate for paid airtime on television was set by Shant TV at 120,000 AMD (about $292 USD) per minute; the cheapest, Yerevan TV and Lime TV, both at 15,000 AMD (about $36.50) per minute.  

The Second Armenian TV Channel Company (h2) is asking 60,000 AMD (about $146) per minute of election campaign advertising for the period from Monday to Friday 6 pm to midnight and Sunday from 10 am to midnight and 30,000 AMD (about $73) per minute for the remaining hours (outside of primetime). 

Shant TV, Armenia TV, ArmNews, ATV, AR TV, and Lime TV allow each candidate to purchase up to 7 minutes of paid airtime per day, while h2 and Yerevan TV allow for up to 10 minutes. 

If a candidate has not used up the daily allowance, he cannot carry it over to the next day. 

With respect to radio stations, FM 105.5 has set the most expensive rate at 3,120 AMD (about $7.60) per day; Radio Hay, the cheapest at 2,400 AMD (about $5.85).

The advertising rates set by TV and radio companies include VAT (value-added tax), except in the case of Yerkir Media.

The election campaign period officially begins on April 4 and ends on May 3 at midnight.

Anna Barseghyan