VVPAT slips found dumped in Samastipur; official suspended

“DM Samastipur was directed to visit the spot and inquire. As these are VVPAT slips of Mock Poll, integrity of the polling process remains uncompromised. Contesting Candidates have also been informed by the DM. However, concerned ARO is being suspended for negligence and an FIR is being registered,” the ECI said.

The district administration swung into action after residents reported a large number of printed VVPAT slips scattered near the college. Officials, after a preliminary investigation, confirmed that these belonged to the mock poll process conducted before voting on the first polling day.

District Magistrate (DM)-cum-District Election Officer (DEO) of Samastipur, Roshan Kushwaha, said that it received Information about some VVPAT slips being found in the Sarairanjan Assembly segment.

“These were located at the commissioning and dispatch centre. Upon inspection, it was observed that among a large quantity of shredded slips, a few unshredded slips were present,” the district magistrate said. “The administration has confiscated and seized these slips. An FIR is being lodged against those responsible for negligence. The investigation will establish the exact nature of the recovered slips. This is purely a technical matter, and all details will become clear after the inquiry.”

On the issue of the discarded slips, Kushwaha said, “During the commissioning process, mock polls are conducted on 5 percent of the voting machines, with around 1,000 votes cast on each as part of testing. Additionally, during commissioning, each candidate’s button is pressed to verify that the correct symbol has been loaded. These mock polls generate a significant number of VVPAT slips. Among these, some shredded and some unshredded slips have been found. The matter is under investigation, and an FIR will be registered against those found responsible.”

Following the CEC’s directive, the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) concerned has been suspended for negligence in handling election material.

District authorities have begun a detailed inquiry to ascertain how the mock poll slips were discarded improperly and whether there was any procedural lapse in their disposal. The findings are expected to be submitted to the Election Commission soon.

Meanwhile, the RJD posted on X: “A large number of VVPAT slips coming out of EVMs were found thrown on the road near KSR College in the Sarairanjan Assembly constituency of Samastipur. When, how, why, and on whose instructions were these slips thrown? Will the ‘thief commission’ answer this? Is all this happening on the directions of the ‘dacoit of democracy’ who has camped in Bihar from outside?”