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The Election Commission of India has ordered an investigation into allegations that foreign nationals illegally voted in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu
Assembly elections. According to sources, the poll panel has sought reports from returning officers in at least two cities and five districts across Tamil Nadu regarding how foreign nationals managed to cast votes despite the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The probe comes after around 25 foreign nationals of Indian origin were reportedly arrested or detained in cities including Chennai and Madurai for allegedly voting fraudulently in the Assembly elections held on April 23.
In one of the major crackdowns, Chennai Police arrested 10 foreign nationals, including four women, for allegedly casting votes using fraudulently obtained identity documents. Officials said the accused were intercepted by immigration authorities at Chennai International Airport while attempting to leave the country after the polls.
Investigators found that despite holding foreign citizenship and not being Indian citizens, the accused had stayed in different parts of the state and allegedly exercised their franchise illegally.
Following complaints from immigration officials, multiple cases were registered between May 7 and May 14 by the Central Crime Branch and local police units under the Greater Chennai Police.
All the accused were later produced before a court for further legal proceedings.
(With Inputs FROM PTI)
