EC Orders Probe Into Alleged Voting by 10 Foreign Nationals in Tamil Nadu Polls

The Election Commission has ordered a detailed probe into allegations that 10 foreign nationals deceitfully cast votes during the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly election using fraudulent Indian identity documents , officials said on Saturday.

The action follows a police report submitted after airport authorities at Chennai and Madurai flagged several passengers attempting to board international flights with indelible ink marks on their index fingers, a standard sign used to indicate voting in Indian elections. Suspicious officials alerted the police, leading to the detention and subsequent arrest of the individuals.

According to the Chennai Police, the accused include nationals from Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom and Canada . Cases have been registered in nine separate incidents, and the Central Crime Branch has launched an investigation into how the individuals allegedly obtained forged Indian identification documents and succeeded in entering the electoral rolls.

Officials, however, said there is no clarity yet on which candidates or political parties they voted for , and investigators are currently examining polling records, voter registration details and supporting documents.

Under Indian law, only Indian citizens are eligible to vote in elections. Article 326 of the Constitution provides for adult suffrage but restricts voting rights to citizens of India. The Representation of the People Act also permits Non-Resident Indians to vote only if they retain Indian citizenship and are registered as overseas electors under Section 20A.

Election officials noted that individuals who have acquired foreign citizenship or formally renounced Indian nationality are constitutionally barred from participating in Indian elections. Authorities said the case raises serious concerns over electoral integrity and possible misuse of forged identity documents.