Political parties will qualify for an election broadcast on BBC television and radio stations if they stand 89 candidates in England, 10 in Scotland, seven in Wales or three in Northern Ireland, the BBC Trust has announced.
With the deadline for nominations for the May 7 general election coming on April 9, it is not yet possible to say which parties will qualify, but if they stand in similar numbers of seats as in 2010, the British National Party and English Democrats would pass the threshold for a broadcast alongside larger parties.
Parties will be eligible for one or more additional broadcasts if they can demonstrate "substantial levels of past and/or current electoral support" in the nation where they will be aired.
UK-wide broadcasts will be shown on BBC1 and BBC2, while Scottish broadcasts will go on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio Nan Gaidheal, Welsh on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru and Northern Ireland broadcasts on BBC Radio Ulster.
The criteria were drafted by the BBC Executive and approved by the BBC Trust.
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