Authors: David Shepardson and Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters): The first U.S. presidential debate between incumbent Joe Biden and Republican rival Donald Trump on June 27 will feature two commercial breaks, be devoid of props and have muted microphones unless he is recognized as speaking, it said on CNN Saturday.

In May, the candidates agreed to participate in two debates, one of which will take place this month and be moderated by CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash in Atlanta, and the other, which will take place on September 10, will be hosted by ABC.

CNN reported that on Saturday, both candidates will stand on a single podium for a 90-minute debate, the podium order will be decided by a coin toss, and the candidates will receive a pen, a piece of paper and a bottle of water, but will not be allowed to operate props.

“Microphones will be muted throughout the debate, except for the candidate whose turn it will be to speak,” CNN reported.

CNN, a division of Warner Bros Discovery (NASDAQ:), said moderators “will use all tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion.”

During the two commercial breaks, campaign staffers are not allowed to interact with their candidate, and there will be no studio audience.

CNN said eligible candidates must appear on enough state ballots to meet the 270 electoral vote threshold needed to win and receive at least 15% in four separate national polls.

CNN said it is “not impossible” that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running as an independent, could qualify, saying he has received at least 15% in three qualifying polls so far and has qualified for the ballot in six states, meaning he qualified to receive 89 electoral college votes.

The debates, which will draw tens of millions of viewers on live U.S. television, carry risks for both candidates, who face a tight race.

According to a campaign memo seen by Reuters, Biden prefers three debate topics: abortion rights, the state of democracy and the economy.

Trump refused to debate his rivals during the race for the Republican nomination. His team identified immigration, public safety and inflation as key issues ahead of the debate.