Only four candidates were permitted to run for office.
During the 90-minute forum, candidates were generally permitted to make one-minute responses.
May 15 is the official opening of the media campaign, the period when candidates are permitted to broadcast commercials on television.
The panel argued that this would enable actual constituents to "determine how much money a candidate is permitted to spend."
As of the 2011 elections, independent candidates also were permitted.
Elections were organized in which only Soviet-supported candidates were permitted to run.
Private candidates are not permitted to appear for this examination.
Only candidates who win at least 12.5 percent are permitted to go on to the second round.
No candidate should be permitted to purchase any other television or radio time from personal or donated funds.