EC orders probe into foreigners voting in Tamil Nadu

The Election Commission has launched an investigation into allegations of foreign nationals fraudulently participating in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, following the arrest of several individuals at Chennai and Madurai airports.

EC orders probe into foreigners voting in TN

Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points

The Election Commission has launched a probe into allegations of foreign nationals fraudulently voting in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election.
Ten foreign nationals were arrested at Chennai and Madurai airports with indelible ink on their fingers.
Police investigations revealed the foreign nationals were from Sri Lanka, the UK, and Canada.
The foreign nationals allegedly used fraudulent Indian ID documents to cast votes.
Overseas electors must be Indian citizens who have not acquired citizenship in another country, according to EC rules.

The Election Commission has ordered a probe into the allegations of foreign nationals 'deceitfully' voting in the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly election, an official said on Saturday.

The EC's action follows a report submitted by the police recently after they arrested ten foreign nationals who attempted to board a flight. The airport officials became suspicious when they noticed indelible ink on their index fingers and alerted the police.

Foreign Nationals Detained for Alleged Voting Fraud

The Chennai police said ten foreign nationals were arrested in nine cases for allegedly casting votes in the Tamil Nadu 2026 Assembly polls.

They were detained at the Chennai and Madurai airports. Police enquiry revealed that these nationals were from Sri Lanka, the UK and Canada.

Investigation Uncovers Use of Fraudulent Documents

"They had used fraudulent Indian ID documents to cast the votes. The indelible ink was noticed on their fingers when they attempted to fly out," the police official said.

The police Central Crime Branch registered cases and is probing, the official said and added that as per EC rules, an overseas elector must be a citizen of India who has not acquired citizenship in any other country.

Those who have renounced Indian citizenship are barred from voting.

Rules for Non-Resident Indian Voters

Non-Resident Indians can register to vote under Section 20A of the Representation of the People Act and they are required to produce their original Indian passport at the polling booth, he added.