Patna EVM Scandal: Electoral Officials Suspended After VVPAT Slips Found Scattered on Road
In a significant development that has raised questions about electoral integrity, the Election Commission of India has taken immediate action following the discovery of VVPAT slips from EVMs littering a road in Bihar's Samastipur district. The incident occurred on Saturday near K S R College in the sensitive Sarairanjan assembly constituency, sending shockwaves through the political establishment.
Immediate Suspensions and EC Response
Acting on directions from the Election Commission, District Electoral Officer and Samastipur District Magistrate Roshan Kushwaha suspended two assistant returning officers with immediate effect. The EC confirmed that the recovered slips originated from mock polls conducted earlier that day and has launched a formal inquiry to determine how the sensitive election materials ended up discarded on a public road.
The commission emphasized that the matter is being thoroughly investigated and strict action will be taken if procedural lapses are identified. Samastipur SSP Arvind Pratap Singh provided crucial context, explaining that during mock polls, slips are typically extracted to verify machine functionality. However, he noted a troubling detail: Most of the recovered slips were intact, contrary to procedure which requires their destruction after testing.
Political Firestorm and RJD Allegations
The opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) wasted no time in capitalizing on the incident, accusing the ruling alliance of electoral manipulation. The party alleged the discovery indicated systematic vote tampering and questioned the Election Commission's ability to conduct free and fair elections.
RJD candidate Arvind Sahni from the Sarairanjan assembly seat rushed to the location upon hearing the news, dramatically claiming that attempts to steal votes have already begun from the NDA's side. He confronted District Magistrate Kushwaha and SSP Singh, demanding an impartial investigation into what he characterized as a serious breach of electoral security.
The situation escalated quickly as hundreds of RJD supporters gathered at the spot along with Sahni, creating chaotic scenes in the area. The party amplified its allegations through social media, sharing a video on its official X handle that showed the VVPAT slips strewn across the road.
Broader Implications for Electoral Integrity
The RJD's social media post contained inflammatory rhetoric, directly questioning whether the incident occurred on the instructions of the democracy dacoits who have come from outside and camped in Bihar. This language reflects the heightened political tensions surrounding the incident and the broader electoral process in Bihar.
The discovery of VVPAT slips in a public area represents a significant security lapse, regardless of whether they originated from mock polls or actual voting. The incident has provided opposition parties with substantial ammunition to question the integrity of the electoral process, particularly given the technical nature of EVMs and the critical role VVPAT slips play in verifying vote counts.
As the Election Commission's investigation continues, all eyes remain on Samastipur to see what additional facts emerge and whether further disciplinary actions will follow. The incident underscores the enormous challenges facing election authorities in maintaining both the reality and perception of electoral fairness in India's vibrant democracy.
