QUETTA: Baloch separatist parties have announced a wheel-jam and shutter-down strike on the eve of the local government elections in Balochistan, scheduled for Dec 7.

In a joint statement, the Baloch Republican Party (BRP) and Baloch National Movement (BNM) announced the strike to be observed on December 6 and 7 throughout the province. “After thorough consultation, it was decided to observe strike,” spokesmen for both parties said Wednesday.

“The state wants to deceive the world through these elections,” claimed a spokesman for the BRP.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has already announced Dec 7 as the date for the polls, and says the printing of electoral rolls has already been completed.

Meanwhile, the Balochistan provincial government has decided to deploy 50,000 Frontier Corps, police, Levies and Balochistan Constabulary personnel across the province to maintain law and order during the polls.

According to Balochistan Election Commissioner Syed Sultan Bayazid, nine districts have been declared sensitive across the province. He, however, said that additional 5,000 armed forces personnel would perform their duties as quick a response force during the elections.

Traffic across Balochistan would be suspended while all shops and markets would be closed for two days during the polls.

Formed in exile by Brahamdagh Bugti, the grandson of late tribal chieftain Nawab Akbar Bugti, the BRP calls for an independent Balochistan outside the federation. The BNM also states similar objectives.

Spokesmen for the two separatist parties said that elections were going to further complicate the Balochistan issue and it was an effort to “further oppress the Baloch” population.

Both parties called on the Baloch masses to stay away from polling stations and avoid casting votes. They said the people would boycott the local bodies’ elections the same way they boycotted the May 11 general elections.