Presidential candidates to hold five debate rounds

Candidates running for the 2009 presidential and vice presidential elections will be expected to hold a total of five rounds of public debates.

"Specifically, there will be three debates among vice presidential candidates and two among presidential candidates," chairman of the House special committee on the presidential election bill Ferry Mursyidan Baldan told a House plenary meeting Wednesday, Antara news agency reported.

According to Baldan, the debates serve as an ideal opportunity for each candidate to promote his vision to the general public.

Ferry said the General Elections Commission would facilitate the debates, which would be widely broadcasted.

"The rules of engagement will be based on past presidential debates and that of regional elections," he said.