Archive · 9 Nov 2025
Bihar Poll Officer Suspended After VVPAT Slips Found Dumped
Imagine that every time someone votes, a little paper slip is made that secretly shows the vote.
These special slips are called VVPAT slips.
Usually, these slips are only used for practice runs, called mock polls, and then thrown away safely.
But in Bihar, many of these practice slips were found lying on the side of the road!
Because someone in charge of them wasn't careful, they got suspended from their job.
Officials say this doesn't affect the real votes that have already been cast, and the voting is still safe.
A police case has also been started to understand how this happened.
An Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) in Bihar's Samastipur district was suspended.
Numerous VVPAT slips were found scattered on a roadside in the Sarairanjan Assembly segment.
The Election Commission confirmed the slips were from a mock poll and stated the integrity of the actual polling process remains unaffected.
An FIR has been registered against the ARO for negligence in handling the election materials.
Poll and police officials seized the slips in the presence of party candidates.
- Who
- An Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) in Samastipur, Bihar
- What
- Was suspended and an FIR was registered after VVPAT slips from a mock poll were found scattered on a roadside.
- When
- Saturday (announcement of suspension and FIR)
- Where
- Samastipur district, Bihar, specifically in the Sarairanjan Assembly segment
- Why
- Negligence in handling VVPAT slips from a mock poll.
Official Stance
Public Concern
Nature of Slips
Official Stance
The VVPAT slips found were from a mock poll and have no bearing on the actual election results. The integrity of the polling process remains uncompromised.
Public Concern
The discovery of VVPAT slips, even from a mock poll, raises concerns about the handling and security of election materials and potentially undermines public trust.
Action Taken
Official Stance
An Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) has been suspended and an FIR registered for negligence, demonstrating prompt action to address the lapse.
Public Concern
While action has been taken against an individual, the incident highlights systemic issues in the management of election materials that need further investigation.
- Incident Location
- Roadside in Sarairanjan Assembly segment, Samastipur district, Bihar
- Official Involved
- Assistant Returning Officer (ARO)
- Materials Found
- VVPAT slips from a mock poll
- Action Taken
- ARO suspended, FIR registered for negligence
- Date of Statement
- Saturday
