RJD Alleges “Vote Theft” in Sasaram as Truck Loaded with EVMs Enters Counting Centre Ahead of Bihar Assembly Results
RJD Alleges “Vote Theft” in Sasaram as Truck Loaded with EVMs Enters Counting Centre Ahead of Bihar Assembly Results
In a startling allegation ahead of the result day for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has accused the Rohtas district administration of orchestrating vote manipulation at the strong room for the Sasaram constituency. According to party workers and footage shared on social media, a truck reportedly loaded with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) was allowed entry into the counting centre late at night without proper supervision or transparency.
At around 2 a.m., party supporters gathered outside the counting centre at the Takiya Market Committee premises in Sasaram, alleging the CCTV feed had been switched off and that drivers of the truck were sent away without being questioned. “Why was a truck loaded with EVMs sneaked into the counting centre? Why were the drivers released without accountability? And why were the CCTV cameras turned off?” demanded one party statement.
What the RJD Claims
The RJD claims that the truck, “carrying many boxes,” entered the strong room three hours prior to the alleged switch-off of camera feeds. This, they say, hints at a plot to replace or tamper with EVMs to influence the outcome of the counting. The party has demanded the release of full CCTV footage and has warned of large-scale protests if no clarification is offered by the Election Commission of India (ECI) or the state electoral office.
The counting centre in question is for the Sasaram assembly seat, a key battleground in the Rohtas district. Many in the RJD’s camp believe the administration feared a clear lead for the opposition alliance, and that these events are part of a coordinated attempt to pre-empt the results.
Administration & Security Arrangements
The strong rooms in Rohtas district have been under the watch of central paramilitary forces and the local police, with the ECI announcing that every district counting site would have two-tier security, 24-hour CCTV surveillance and strict chain-of-custody protocols for EVMs and VVPATs. During polling and after, machines are sealed and stored in designated strong rooms under guard.
Yet the incident in Sasaram has exposed apparent gaps in these safeguards: a truck entering without prior declaration, camera feeds going blank, and personnel allegedly leaving the site unsupervised raise serious questions about the integrity of the process. The RJD has highlighted that the incident occurred hours before the scheduled counting of votes, suggesting it was not part of normal logistics.
Implications for Bihar Election Integrity
The timing of the allegations — just before the count — adds further gravity. With millions of voters participating across two phases and exit-polls suggesting tight margins between the ruling coalition and the opposition, any suggestion of tampering strikes at the heart of the democratic process.
If found credible, this case could trigger institutional reviews, calls for re-polling or even judicial intervention. Previous instances of strong-room tampering or machine mishandling have resulted in delays or annulments of count results in other states. The RJD’s public appeal also puts pressure on the ECI and the state’s Chief Electoral Officer to respond swiftly to maintain public confidence.
Political Fallout & Reactions
Political tensions in Bihar are already high. The opposition alliance spearheaded by the RJD has repeatedly accused the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and state administration of misuse of power and manipulating institutional mechanisms. This incident now provides new ammunition for those claims.
The RJD has demanded an immediate investigation and warned of large-scale mobilisation of its supporters to the counting centre if clarifications are not forthcoming. Meanwhile, the ruling parties have urged calm, asserting that security arrangements were intact and any allegations should be addressed through proper channels rather than protests.
What’s Next?
The key developments to watch are:
- Whether the state election office or the ECI makes public the CCTV footage and clarifies the truck’s contents.
- If the district administration provides logs of truck entry, driver identity, and machine movement on the night in question.
- Whether the counting in Sasaram seat proceeds or is paused for investigation.
- How this incident influences voter perception and the legitimacy of the final assembly results.
With vote counting just hours away, this unfolding controversy may prove decisive—both in terms of who wins the seat and how cleanly the process is perceived.
