Foreign Voters Under Scrutiny After Returning to Tamil Nadu Following Assembly Election Vote

Authorities are investigating around 40 cases in Tamil Nadu in which foreign nationals of Indian origin are suspected of voting in the recent Assembly election and then leaving the country soon after polling on April 23. Central and State law-enforcement agencies are working with the Election Commission of India and the Bureau of Immigration to identify people who entered the State before the vote and departed within two to three days of polling. Officials are also reviewing social media posts and videos in which individuals claimed they travelled to Chennai, Bengaluru and other cities specifically to cast their ballots.

According to a senior State government official, if these individuals did vote, it would amount to cheating and a violation of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Investigators are also examining how their names remained on the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision, and whether false declarations were made in the process. If a voter was incorrectly shown as residing in India, action may also be taken against those responsible for certifying the information.

The issue first surfaced in the second week of May when immigration officials at Madurai airport questioned a couple who were about to fly to Colombo. Officials noticed indelible ink marks on their fingers, and the pair later admitted that they had voted in the election using their Electors Photo Identity Cards. They were handed over to Avaniapuram police for inquiry. In another case, a United Kingdom national of Indian origin was detained at Chennai airport after he reportedly admitted voting in the Velachery constituency. He was also handed over to local police for further investigation.

Officials said that during the Special Intensive Revision, family members may have filled in enumeration forms and signed on behalf of the foreign national, which could amount to a false declaration. Proceedings are expected to be initiated through proper legal channels against those who voted and then left the country. The authorities are also considering possible cancellation of Overseas Citizen of India cards for foreign nationals found to have taken part in the election illegally.

The final decision on whether the votes cast by foreign nationals should be treated as valid will rest with the Election Commission of India, the official said. The matter has raised concerns about electoral roll verification, accountability in voter registration, and the safeguards needed to prevent misuse of identity documents in future elections.