VVPAT Slips Dumped in Bihar: Election Official Suspended for Electoral Negligence

Samastipur: Following the discovery of numerous VVPAT slips scattered along a roadside in Bihar's Samastipur district, an assistant returning officer was suspended on Saturday and legal action was initiated against him.

The VVPAT slips were discovered strewn across the roadside near a college within the Sarairanjan assembly constituency area.

After a video allegedly showing the dumped slips went viral across social media platforms, the Election Commission promptly responded to the situation.

According to a statement from the Chief Electoral Officer's office, the district magistrate has been instructed to conduct an on-site investigation into the incident.

"Since these are VVPAT slips from a mock poll, the integrity of the actual polling process remains intact. The district magistrate has informed all candidates involved in the election. Nevertheless, the assistant returning officer is being suspended for negligence, and a formal FIR is being registered against him," the statement clarified.

The statement further mentioned that an investigation into the matter has been initiated.

The first phase of assembly elections, covering 121 constituencies, was conducted on November 6.