QUETTA: The Baloch Republican Party (BRP) and Baloch National Movement (BNM) will observe a shutter down and wheel jam strike on the eve of the local bodies elections in Balochistan which are scheduled to be held on December 7, both parties announced on Wednesday.
The spokesmen for the two separatist parties said that the decision to observe strike on December 6 and 7 was taken after thorough consultation, adding that the state wants to deceive the world through these elections.
They said that local bodies elections are going to further complicate the Balochistan issue and it is an effort to further oppress the Baloch population. They called on the Baloch masses to stay away from polling stations and avoid casting votes.
The spokesmen said that traffic across the province will be suspended while all shops and markets will be closed for two days during the polls. They said that the people will boycott the local bodies’ elections the same way they boycotted the May 11 general elections.
Meanwhile, the Balochistan Election Commissioner Syed Sultan Bayazid said that all arrangements have been completed and the process of local bodies polls in 32 districts of Balochistan will be completed on the scheduled time.
The Balochistan Election Commissioner said that polling material has reached several districts in the province while lists for the deployment of staff at polling stations have been issued.
Bayazid said nine districts have been declared sensitive across the province. He said that the provincial government will deploy 50,000 Frontier Corps, police, Levies and Balochistan Constabulary personnel across the province to maintain law and order during the polls. He, however, said that additional 5,000 armed forces personnel will perform their duties as quick a response force during the elections.
