EC Orders Probe Into Alleged Voting by Foreign Nationals in Tamil Nadu Polls

The Election Commission has ordered an investigation into allegations that foreign nationals deceitfully cast votes during the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The action follows a police report submitted after ten foreign nationals were arrested while attempting to board outbound flights from Chennai and Madurai airports.

According to police officials, airport authorities became suspicious after noticing indelible ink marks on the passengers’ index fingers, indicating they had voted. Subsequent enquiries revealed that the individuals were nationals of Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Authorities alleged that they had used fraudulent Indian identity documents to participate in the elections.

The Chennai Police’s Central Crime Branch has registered nine cases and launched a detailed probe. Officials stated that under Election Commission rules, only Indian citizens who have not acquired foreign citizenship are eligible to vote as overseas electors. Non-Resident Indians registered under Section 20A of the Representation of the People Act are required to produce their original Indian passports at polling booths.

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