A Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) candidate from Sindhri Municipal Council in Balotra district has alleged irregularities in the voting and counting process after it was declared that he received zero votes in the election from ward 3.

The outcome of the Rajasthan urban local body (ULB) elections on Monday saw the ruling BJP get the better of the Congress, even as Independents and smaller parties registered a significant performance.

But RLP candidate Omprakash Bawri, who contested from ward 3, has submitted a complaint to the state election commission alleging that despite him and his family members casting their votes, official results showed no votes in his favour.

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According to the counting results cited in his complaint, 227 votes were polled in the ward. The Congress candidate received 132 votes, the BJP candidate 92, while Bawri was shown as receiving zero votes – one less than NOTA.

In a video released later, Bawri claimed, “People in the ward voted for me, and there is no other explanation than that votes were ‘stolen’ during the voting or counting process. I want an immediate seizure of EVMs used in the ward and an impartial inquiry into the entire process.”

He alleged that though he was present, officials did not obtain his signature on documents relating to sealing of the machines and instead removed him from the premises.

Bawri has demanded scrutiny of the videography, voting and counting records, and a recount or further legal action if irregularities are established.

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In another case, a candidate from Parbatsar municipality received just one vote. Kailashchand, the BJP candidate, contested from ward 13.

BJP district president of Didwana-Kuchaman Sunita Randa said, “Our candidate was fielded from ward 13 despite being a resident of ward 12 because ward 13 is a minority dominated ward. We knew the elections would be one-sided and did not want the candidate of the other party to win without opposition.”

Parbatsar municipality has 25 wards, of which Congress won 13 and BJP 12.

Election authorities did not respond to calls seeking a comment on the claims.