Bogus voting? EC orders probe after 10 foreign nationals with inked fingers held at TN airports

The Election Commission has ordered an inquiry into allegations that foreign nationals “deceitfully” voted in the 23 April Tamil Nadu Assembly election, an official said on Saturday.

The action follows a police report submitted recently after authorities arrested 10 foreign nationals who allegedly attempted to leave the country after casting votes. 

Arrests at Chennai and Madurai airports

According to Chennai police, the 10 foreign nationals were arrested in nine cases linked to alleged voting in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. They were detained at Chennai and Madurai airports.

Airport officials reportedly became suspicious after noticing indelible ink marks on the travellers’ index fingers and alerted the police.

Police inquiries later found that the detained individuals were from Sri Lanka, the UK and Canada.

“They had used fraudulent Indian ID documents to cast the votes. The indelible ink was noticed on their fingers when they attempted to fly out,” a police official said.

Central Crime Branch begins probe

The police said the Central Crime Branch has registered cases and launched an investigation into the matter.

An official said Election Commission rules allow only Indian citizens who have not acquired citizenship of another country to register as overseas electors. Those who have renounced Indian citizenship are not permitted to vote.

The official added that Non-Resident Indians can register as voters under Section 20A of the Representation of the People Act. They must produce their original Indian passport at the polling booth.