Jaisalmer: Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) candidate Om Prakash, who got zero votes in ward 3 of Sindhari Municipality election in Balotra district, Thursday challenged the election result in the district court, alleging serious irregularities in the voting and counting process.Prakash filed an appeal under Section 31 of the Rajasthan Municipalities Act, 2009, seeking cancellation of the election result, a technical and forensic examination of the electronic voting machines, and fresh polling in the ward.The court has issued notices to the State Election Commission, district election officer and other officials concerned, seeking their response. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for Sept 19.In his election petition, Om Prakash stated that 227 votes were recorded in ward 3. The declared results showed 132 votes for the Congress candidate, 92 for the BJP candidate, one vote for NOTA and zero votes for the RLP candidate.The petitioner alleged that members of his family had cast their votes at the polling station, but even their votes were not reflected in the results. He claimed this raised questions about a possible technical malfunction of the EVM or manipulation of votes.The candidate has also alleged irregularities in the EVM sealing process. He claimed that despite being present at the counting centre, officials did not obtain his signatures on the sealing documents and allegedly forced him to leave the premises.The petition raises concerns over the use of EVMs without VVPAT slips and alleges technical, software-related and procedural irregularities during polling and counting. Om Prakash said he and his authorised agent raised objections at the time, but alleged that the returning officer ignored these.
