Foreign Nationals Allegedly Vote in Tamil Nadu: An Electoral Scandal

The Election Commission is investigating claims of foreign nationals fraudulently voting in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Ten foreigners were arrested at airports with suspect ink on their fingers indicating voting activity. Investigation shows they used fake Indian IDs, contravening electoral laws requiring Indian citizenship.

The Election Commission has launched a probe following disturbing allegations of foreign nationals unlawfully participating in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on April 23. The investigation was prompted by a police report after officials at Chennai and Madurai airports apprehended ten individuals suspected of illicit voting.

According to the police, the foreign nationals hail from Sri Lanka, the UK, and Canada, and allegedly used forged Indian identification documents to cast their votes. The discrepancies were discovered when airport staff noticed indelible ink, characteristic of those who have voted, on their fingers.

The Central Crime Branch of the police has registered cases to delve deeper into this breach. As per Election Commission regulations, only Indian citizens can vote, and this case highlights major electoral vulnerabilities. Non-resident Indians are reminded that they need to register under Section 20A of the Representation of the People Act to vote, proving their citizenship with an original Indian passport.