The State government on Thursday suspended Returning Officer and the Assistant Returning Officer of Atmakur Assembly constituency in Nellore district for failing to follow the procedure prescribed for storing VVPAT slips after mock polling during commissioning of EVMs and VVPATs.
The action was taken following the direction of the Election Commission of India. After the April 11 elections, at least 200 VVPAT slips related to mock poll conducted during commissioning of EVMs and VVPATS were found on the premises of a government school at Atmakur where commissioning of EVMs and VVPATs was conducted, leading to a hue and cry by various political parties. “The officials have acted in violation of the ECI directions and their reckless and irresponsible actions affected the credibility and integrity of the election process,” the ECI felt and recommended suspension of the two officials from service.