Officials in frenzy after VVPAT slips found in AP school

Poll officials in Andhra Pradesh's Nellore were sent into a frenzy after several VVPAT slips were found lying around in a government school in Atmakur. Officials suspect the slips are from the randomization process which is conducted before the actual voting takes place.

Nellore: In what could raise questions on the Election Commission's credibility in Andhra Pradesh, VVPAT slips were found lying around inside the premises of a school in Atmakur of Nellore district on Monday.

The incident first came to light as children from the town handed over VVPAT slips to an ETV Bharat reporter. Upon reaching the Atmakur Government School, the reporter found several VVPAT slips lying around in the premises.

The serial number, session number, candidate name, and party symbol were seen clearly printed on each of the slips.

The District Collector was then informed, following which Nellore RDO Chinnaramudu was sent to the school to investigate.

Ruling out that the VVPAT slips were from voting day, Chinnaramudu said that they were possibly from the randomization process which is carried out before the actual voting takes place.

Although, he specified that even in the case of randomization, the slips are supposed to be destroyed, which might not have happened here.

The development comes after AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu criticised the Election Commission over irregularities and faulty EVMs in the April 11 simultaneous polls to the state Assembly and Lok Sabha.

Further investigation into the matter is currently underway.

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