VVPAT row in Bihar: EC says slips were from mock poll, suspends officer

Election Commission said the VVPAT slips were mock samples from EVM testing, not related to actual polling

November 8, 2025

VVPAT controversy: EC says slips were mock samples, suspends Bihar officer

Election Commission clarifies after RJD alleges VVPAT slips found on road in Bihar

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday clarified that the VVPAT slips found scattered on a road in Bihar’s Samastipur district were mock slips used during the pre-poll testing of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

The clarification came hours after the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) shared a video on social media alleging that a large number of VVPAT slips were found thrown on the roadside near KSR College in the Sarairanjan assembly constituency.

In a statement, the poll body said that the mock slips are generated during the mandatory testing of EVMs before polling begins. The ECI added that the District Magistrate of Samastipur has been instructed to conduct an on-site inquiry, while the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) concerned has been suspended for negligence. An FIR is also being registered, the Commission said.

RJD questions ECI, calls it “thief commission”

The Tejashwi Yadav-led RJD took to X (formerly Twitter) to question how the slips were discarded and alleged foul play, calling the incident an example of “electoral negligence.”

In its post, the RJD asked,

“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, and at whose direction were these slips thrown away? Will the ‘thief commission’ answer this?”

The party further claimed that the incident reflects a larger conspiracy, accusing “outsiders” of attempting to manipulate the electoral process in Bihar.

EC orders probe, suspends official

Following the controversy, District Magistrate Roshan Kushwaha confirmed that officials had reached the spot and taken possession of the VVPAT slips.

“Under the Sarairanjan Assembly constituency, we found some slips near the dispatch centre. In the presence of candidates, we took possession of those slips. An FIR has been lodged, and a departmental inquiry has been recommended against two officials,” Kushwaha said.

The Election Commission reiterated that there was no impact on actual polling, stressing that the slips were from mock drills conducted before the elections and had no link to real votes.

RJD seeks tighter security around strong rooms

Meanwhile, RJD MP Manoj K Jha wrote a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, urging enhanced security and transparency around strong rooms where EVMs are stored, especially citing reports of power outages in some areas.

He demanded round-the-clock surveillance and the presence of political representatives during inspections to “maintain public confidence in the integrity of the electoral process.”

EC under spotlight amid heightened political tension

The incident has once again placed the Election Commission under scrutiny, with opposition parties demanding accountability and tighter monitoring mechanisms ahead of the counting of votes.

Officials reiterated that disciplinary action has already been initiated and that procedural lapses will be addressed to prevent recurrence.

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