Rajasthan polls: Curious case of candidate who got zero votes
Rashtriya Loktantrik Party candidate Omprakash Bawri claimed he received zero votes in Rajasthan's urban local body elections and lodged a complaint alleging vote tampering, while a separate BJP candidate in Parbatsar municipality recorded only one vote.
- ✓Rashtriya Loktantrik Party candidate Omprakash Bawri claimed he received zero votes in Rajasthan's urban local body elections and lodged a complaint alleging vote tampering, while a separate BJP candidate in Parbatsar municipality recorded only one vote.
- ✓Primary Authority: Official communique verified from The Indian Express National.
- ✓Civic Domain: Categorized under politics public notices.
The Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) candidate Omprakash Bawri from ward 3 of Sindhri Municipal Council in Balotra district has formally complained to the Rajasthan State Election Commission, asserting that the official count shows he received no votes despite casting his ballot and that of his family members.
According to the count submitted with the complaint, 227 votes were cast in the ward: the Congress contender secured 132 votes, the BJP candidate 92, and Bawri was recorded with zero – one fewer than the NOTA option. Bawri alleged that the electronic voting machines (EVMs) were mishandled, that his signature was not obtained on sealing documents, and demanded an immediate seizure of the machines and a forensic review. In a related incident, a BJP candidate, Kailashchand, obtained only a single vote in ward 13 of Parbatsar municipality, a seat the party fielded strategically in a minority‑dominated area.
The episode unfolds against the backdrop of Rajasthan’s urban local body elections, where the ruling BJP outperformed the Congress, while smaller parties and independents made notable gains. Bawri’s allegations raise concerns about the integrity of the voting and counting process, prompting calls for a transparent inquiry and potential recounts, and highlighting the heightened scrutiny of electoral mechanisms in the state.
- •Aspirants and citizens are advised to monitor official notices and circulars issued by The Indian Express National.
- •Verify all prescribed eligibility criteria, cutoff dates, and authenticated document requirements prior to formal submissions.
- •Track connected examination timetables, vacancy advisories, and administrative gazettes on SuchnaSetu.
| Issuing Authority | The Indian Express National |
|---|---|
| Topic Category | POLITICS |
| Jurisdiction | RJ State |
| Publication Date | 15 September 2026 |