Press Release, 13.09.2021

Photo: Anton Gordyuk / Photo from Anton Gordyuk’s personal archive

On 13 September, the Electoral Commission of the Leningrad Region declared unlawful the refusal of the Leningrad Region TV Company to broadcast the campaign materials of Anton Gordyuk, a candidate for State Duma deputy from the Yabloko party.

The TV company demanded to that Gordyuk had to indicate in his campaign video that he was “a person affiliated with a foreign agent”. The electoral commission recognised these demands of the TV company unlawful, since the candidate was not recognised a “foreign agent”.

“The TV company by hook or by crook has not been broadcasting my videos since 25 August. As a result, 80% of the free airtime allotted to me by law [as a candidate] has already vanished. Now the state broadcaster must compensate for the missed time,” the candidate explained.

Anton Gordyuk is running for deputies of the State Duma in the Vsevolozhsky single-mandate district of the Leningrad region. Gordyuk filed a complaint with the Central Electoral Commission about the violation of his rights as a candidate on the part of the state television company, the Central Electoral Commission took the issue under its control.

It should be also noted that on Friday, 10 September, the Leningrad Region television company thwarted the candidates debate with the participation of Anton Gordyuk, not allowing the candidate to enter the television studio. A complaint on this fact is currently being considered by the Central Electoral Commission too.