Trump-Harris debate: Here are the rules

Washington:

US Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will face off in a debate for the first time on Tuesday, each seeking an edge in what has become a very tight race for the White House.

After weeks of back-and-forth over the where, when and how of the debate, the US network ABC (which is organizing the event) announced the final rules of the contest, agreed upon by the two campaigns, this week.

The most important conclusions are presented below.

When and where?

The debate will take place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia at 9 p.m. local time on Tuesday (01:00 GMT on Wednesday) and will be broadcast live. There will be no audience in the room.

The event will be moderated by ABC presenters David Muir and Linsey Davis and will last for 90 minutes of discussion, with two commercial breaks.

Microphones muted?

The question of whether microphones would be muted (as was done during an earlier debate between US President Joe Biden and Trump) was contentious, with each side accusing the other of cowardice in the matter.

ABC has announced that each candidate's microphone will only be on when it is his or her turn to speak, and muted when it is the other candidate's turn.

Who speaks and when?

Candidates will not make opening statements. They will be allotted two minutes to respond to each question and their opponent will be given two minutes to rebut.

There will be an additional minute for “a follow-up, clarification or response,” according to the rules.

At the end of the debate, each candidate will offer a two-minute closing statement, with Trump speaking last, based on the results of a virtual coin toss.

Without accessories

Candidates will remain behind podiums throughout the debate, with no support or pre-written notes permitted.

Trump and Harris will be given a pen, a pad of paper and a bottle of water.

Campaign staff will not be allowed to speak or interact with candidates during commercial breaks.