Shocking Discovery: VVPAT Slips Found on Roadside
In a major lapse during the Bihar by-polls, discarded Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips were found abandoned on a roadside in Madhepura district. The incident, reported by locals on June 5, sparked concerns over electoral integrity, prompting swift action from the Election Commission (EC).
VVPAT slips serve as a paper trail to verify votes cast via EVMs and must be stored securely. Their careless disposal violates EC protocols and fuels doubts about election fairness in Bihar, a state with a history of political volatility.
EC Takes Action: Official Suspended, Probe Launched
The Election Commission suspended the Presiding Officer of the affected polling booth for “gross negligence.” In a statement, the EC clarified that the slips were “inadvertently left behind during transport” due to human error, not foul play.
“The integrity of the process remains intact. Such cases are rare, and we are enforcing stricter measures,” the EC asserted.
Political Backlash: Opposition Demands Accountability
The incident drew sharp reactions:
– RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the EC of failing to protect voter trust.
– BJP leaders dismissed the controversy as a minor lapse being politicized.
Election watchdogs like the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) urged better staff training to prevent future mishaps.
Why This Matters: VVPATs and Electoral Trust
VVPATs were introduced to boost transparency, but repeated slip mismanagement has raised concerns. With Bihar facing more elections, the EC’s ability to prevent such errors will be critical to maintaining public confidence.
Next Steps
- The EC will review VVPAT handling procedures.
- A detailed report on the incident is expected soon.
For now, the focus remains on ensuring accountability and restoring voter trust.
— Reporting by NextMinuteNews
