Foreigners who have returned after voting in the TN assembly elections will come under the scanner

Any decision on the validity of votes cast by foreign nationals in the assembly elections will have to be taken by the Election Commission of India, says a senior state government official. File (representative image)

After uncovering about 40 cases of foreigners of Indian origin who allegedly voted in the recent Tamil Nadu assembly elections, investigators are targeting those who returned abroad shortly after the April 23 elections.

According to official sources, central and state law enforcement agencies are working with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to obtain details of suspected foreign nationals who may have voted in the elections. Investigators have sought help from the Indian government’s Immigration Bureau to identify foreign nationals who came to the state before the election and left within two to three days of voting.

Social media posts are moderated

Authorities are also probing social media posts and videos in which individuals have claimed to have traveled to Chennai, Bengaluru and other cities specifically to exercise the franchise.

“It is possible to verify whether these individuals voted in the assembly elections. If they did, it would be tantamount to cheating and violating the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. We are also looking into how their names were not removed from the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Scrutiny (SIR). If it is falsely proved that the voter is residing in the Government of India,” the false statement will be made against high-ranking government officials who hold responsible persons in India. The Hindu on Monday.

The first case of alleged illegal voting came to light in the second week of May when the couple was questioned by immigration officials at the Madurai airport as they prepared to board a flight to Colombo. When asked about the indelible ink marks on their fingers, they admitted that they had voted in the election using their Voter ID Cards (EPICs). They were subsequently handed over to the Avaniapuram police.

‘false statement’

In another case, a UK national of Indian origin was detained at the Chennai airport after he admitted to voting in the Velachery constituency. He was handed over to the local police for further investigation.

“During the SIR, it appears that the family members filled the enumeration form and signed it on behalf of the foreigner. This would amount to false declaration. Action will be taken against the individuals who voted and then left the country through appropriate channels,” the official said.

Apart from being prosecuted for fraudulent voting, foreign nationals found to have participated in elections may face cancellation of their Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards, the official said. He added that any decision on the validity of votes cast by foreign nationals in the Assembly elections would have to be taken by the ECI.

Published – 08 Jun 2026 19:02 IST