NEW DELHI, Nov 8: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday clarified on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) allegation that several VVPAT slips were found scattered on a road in the Sarairanjan assembly constituency in Bihar’s Samastipur district, claiming that the VVPAT slips in question were mock slips, which were generated while testing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) before polling.
It, however, ordered suspension of the concerned Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) for negligence and register an FIR in connection with the case while directing the District Magistrate of Samastipur to visit the spot and inquire about the issue.
Tejashwi Yadav-led RJD, in a post on X, shared a video and alleged that a large number of VVPAT slips were found scattered on the road near KSR College in Samastipur. The party sought an answer from the Election Commission on how and at whose behest the VVPAT slips were thrown away.
“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? Is all this happening at the instructions of the “dacoits of democracy” who have come from outside and set up camp in Bihar?” the X post read.
RJD MP Manoj K Jha has written a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar calling for enhanced security of strong rooms, where the EVMs are kept, citing power disruptions.
Roshan Kushwaha, the District Magistrate of Samastipur, said his team had taken possession of the VVPAT slips and an FIR has been lodged in the case.
“Under the Sarairanjan Assembly constituency, we found some slips near the dispatch centre. I, along with other officials, reached the spot and in the presence of candidates, we took possession of those slips…FIR is being lodged in this matter,” he said. Kushwaha said the two officials have been recommended for a departmental inquiry.
(Manas Dasgupta)
