Most religious, nationalist and sectarian political parties in Balochistan aim to win the elections by hook or by crook.

Quetta-based observers are of the opinion that candidates representing the far-right are positioned to divide votes in their constituencies. It is unlikely that Ramazan Mengal of the banned Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammat or Shafiq will win Mengal, known for alleged ties to the militant Baloch Musalla Difa Tanzeem, even though they do have sizeable vote banks.

If Ramzan Mengal can seek votes using sectarian slogans, then Shafiq, too, has tribesmen and like-minded groups that would vote for him.

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