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Acting SOssetia president fires officials

The CEC asked the support groups to notify it about the date and venue of such meetings and invite to them CEC officials

TSKHINVAL, January 12 (Itar-Tass) — Acting South Ossetia President Vadim Brovtsev fired a number of high-placed officials on Thursday.

"To optimize the operation of the office of the head of state," presidential envoy in parliament Tarzan Kokoiti, presidential adviser for public health and social development Nugzar Gabaraev and presidential adviser for relations with public associations and political parties Kosta Dzubayev have been relieved of their duties, a government administration official told reporters.

"To strengthen the industry and expedite work, the president relieved the minister of housing and road construction and architecture Chermen Khugayev of his duties," the official said, adding that the decree was signed earlier in the day.

Local observers regard the reshuffle as the authorities' attempt to improve the public and political and socio-economic situation in the republic ahead of the March 25 presidential election.

The republic’s Central Election Commission passed a resolution on mandatory presence of presidential hopefuls at the meetings of their support groups to nominate candidates.

The CEC asked the support groups to notify it about the date and venue of such meetings and invite to them CEC officials.

"Under the effective legislation, all the documents to be submitted by the support groups to the CEC will be carefully checked," CEC chairwoman Bella Pliyeva told reporters.

Two support groups have already named their candidates: Igor Alborov and Georgy Kabisov.

There have been no reports about the plans of former presidential candidate Alla Dzhioyeva who has the right to take part in the race.

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