Archive · 9 Nov 2025
Bihar Election: VVPAT Slips Found Dumped, Officials Suspended
In Bihar, a video showed many paper slips from voting machines dumped on the road.
These are called VVPAT slips, and they are like a receipt to check if your vote was recorded correctly.
The incident happened in Samastipur, a few days after voting began.
The political parties in the opposition were upset and asked the Election Commission why these slips were thrown away.
The Election Commission explained that these slips were from a test run, called a 'mock poll,' which happens before real voting to make sure the machines work.
They said this does not affect the actual election results.
However, they did suspend one election official for not being careful.
An official police report has been filed, and an investigation is happening.
VVPAT slips were found dumped on roads in Shitalpatti village, Samastipur district, Bihar.
The discovery occurred days after the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections.
The Election Commission ordered the registration of an FIR and suspended an additional returning officer.
The Election Commission clarified the slips were from a mock poll conducted to test EVMs, stating the voting process integrity remains intact.
Opposition parties (RJD and Congress) questioned the incident and demanded clarification on why the slips were discarded.
- Who
- Election Commission officials, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, District Magistrate-cum-District Election Officer of Samastipur
- What
- Discovery of dumped VVPAT slips on a road, leading to an FIR and suspension of an official.
- When
- Saturday, after a video surfaced; days after the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections on Thursday.
- Where
- Shitalpatti village, Samastipur district, Bihar (near KSR College, Sarairanjan Assembly constituency).
- Why
- Alleged negligence leading to the dumping of VVPAT slips from a mock poll, sparking political accusations.
Opposition Parties (RJD and Congress)
Election Commission
Origin of the VVPAT Slips
Opposition Parties (RJD and Congress)
Opposition parties questioned the Election Commission regarding the dumping of VVPAT slips, asking when, how, why, and on whose orders they were discarded. They raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
Election Commission
The Chief Election Commissioner stated that the discovered VVPAT slips were from a mock poll conducted before the actual voting to test the EVMs, asserting that the integrity of the actual polling process remains uncompromised.
- Location
- Shitalpatti village, Samastipur district, Bihar (near KSR College in Sarairanjan Assembly constituency)
- Incident
- Large number of Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips found dumped on the road.
- Timing
- Saturday, after a video surfaced on social media; days after the first phase of polling on Thursday.
- Action Taken
- Registration of a First Information Report (FIR), suspension of the additional returning officer of Sarairanjan Assembly constituency, seizure of slips, and departmental inquiry recommended.
- Election Commission Clarification
- The slips were generated during a mock poll conducted to test Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and do not compromise the integrity of the actual voting process.
- Mock Poll Details
- Mock polls are conducted on 5% of EVMs, with around 1,000 votes cast on each to test them. Each candidate's button is pressed to verify correct symbol loading.
