VVPAT slips were found thrown on the roadside in Samastipur. The administration has admitted serious negligence by calling it a mock poll. This incident has raised serious questions on the security and transparency of the electoral process, on which RJD has also raised objections.
Samastipur: Amidst the preparations for Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, an incident has come to light from Sarairanjan Assembly constituency of Samastipur district, which has raised serious question marks on the security and transparency of the electoral process of the state. A large number of slips from the VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) machine were found thrown in the open on the roadside near KSR College. There was panic in the district administration after the local people gave information. Seeing the seriousness of the matter, District Election Officer cum DM Roshan Kushwaha himself reached the spot along with senior officials and immediately inspected the slips.
Administration’s clarification: ‘Mock poll’ slips, but negligence is serious
After investigating the matter, the district administration gave its official response on this. District Information and Public Relations Officer (DIPRO) Rajneesh Rai said that these slips found in the open were used during the mock poll. Mock poll is conducted in the presence of candidates to ensure the functioning of the machine before the election.
According to DIPRO, these slips should have been destroyed as per rules after the mock poll. The administration has admitted that throwing these sensitive slips in the open shows serious negligence in the election process. Although the administration has tried to control the situation by saying it is related to mock poll, it has said that action will be taken against the officials responsible for this lapse.
RJD’s sharp attack: Who is the ‘dacoit of democracy’?
Opposition party Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has made a direct attack on the Election Commission and the ruling coalition regarding this incident. RJD officially attacked on social media saying, “A large number of VVPAT slips from EVMs were found thrown on the road near KSR College in Sarayaranjan assembly constituency of Samastipur. When, how, why and on whose instructions were these slips thrown? Will the Thieves Commission answer this? Is all this happening on the instructions of the dacoit of democracy coming from outside and camping in Bihar.”
RJD has not only expressed doubt on the functioning of the Election Commission, but has also tried to connect this incident to a larger political conspiracy by using harsh words like ‘robber of democracy’.
Big question on transparency and security
This finding of VVPAT slips in the open, even if they are of mock polls, flouts the security standards and sealing protocols of the electoral process. As per rules, the mock poll slips are also sealed in a special envelope and kept as records or destroyed in a proper manner so that no one can tamper with them. Finding of slips in the open raises the question as to how such huge negligence took place in election preparations? This incident gives rise to the apprehensions of local people and opposition parties regarding the transparency of elections and secrecy of voting. Now it has to be seen what concrete action the district administration takes against the officials responsible for this negligence, so that such lapses do not happen in future.