DUSTI, October 17, Asia-Plus - President Emomali Rahmonov has sacked two local officials in the Khatlon province.

Today, during his staying in the settlement of Dusti, the administrative center of Qumsangir, President Rahmonov announced dismissal of a mayor of the city of Sarband and a head of the Panj district. 

Halqamo Turakhonova was relieved of her post of mayor of Sarband for shortcomings in her work.  Talbon Hakimov was relieved of his post of chairman of the Panj district with the same formulation. 

Halqamo Turakhonova was replaced by Hikmatullo Rajabov and Talbon Hakimov by Saidumron Abdurahmonov.  The president presented the acting chairmen of Sarband and Panj at a meeting in Dusti. 

Rahmonov today morning visited the areas affected by two devastating earthquakes on July 29.  The president expressed dissatisfaction with a slow progress of the reconstruction in the tremor-hit areas and demanded that the reconstruction work should be speeded up. 

Rahmonov also familiarized himself with a harvesting campaign in the district.  After that he presided over a meeting with participation of senior representatives from local authorities and relative ministries and organizations.  The meeting focused on the overall socioeconomic situation in Qumsangir and the cotton harvesting campaign in the region.  

Dwelling on the upcoming election, Rahmonov insisted that the government, local authorities should not interfere in the electoral process.  He stressed that the presidential election should be transparent and comply with international standards and all candidates should have equal opportunities to carry out agitation campaign.