Bihar polls: Heap of VVPAT slips found dumped; official booked

Samastipur/Bihar: After a large number of VVPAT slips were found dumped on the roadside here in Bihar, an assistant returning officer was suspended on Saturday, and a case has been registered against him, according to a PTI report.

The incident happened when the assembly polls were going on in the state.

A video of the dumped VVPAT slips went viral, and it was found that the incident happened in the Sarairanjan assembly segment in the Samastipur district.

The Chief Electoral Officer’s office issued a statement, saying that the district magistrate has been directed to visit the spot and inquire into the matter.

It said that the VVPAT slips are of a mock poll, while the integrity of the polling process remains uncompromised. The contesting candidates have also been informed by the district magistrate, while the ARO has been suspended for negligence, with an FIR being registered against him.

An investigation has also been started, it added. The first phase of the assembly polls in 121 seats took place on November 6.