Majority of the arrested are Sri Lankan nationals.
Chennai - Twenty-five foreign nationals have been arrested for casting fake votes in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The incident came to light after it was discovered that they had voted using forged documents during the election period.
1. In a joint operation by the Police and the immigration department, these individuals were caught at Chennai, Madurai, and other airports while preparing to flee India. Indelible ink marks, which are applied after voting, were found on their fingers. They were then taken into custody and questioned.
2. According to investigating agencies, most of those arrested are Sri Lankan citizens, while some hold British and Canadian passports.
3. Police stated that many of the suspects had arrived in Tamil Nadu immediately after the election announcement and stayed in the state for several days after voting so that the ink marks on their fingers could fade.
4. Authorities suspect that several more foreign nationals may still be in India. Investigative agencies are verifying the details of all those who entered India before the elections and have not yet left the country. A detailed report on the entire matter has been sent to the Election Commission.
5. Similar cases have surfaced earlier as well. In 2025, immigration officials had requested the Election Commission to remove the names of approximately 100 foreign nationals from the voter list.
6. Investigations had revealed that these foreign nationals possessed voter identity cards and had obtained voting rights using false addresses. This year too, the names of approximately 60 foreign nationals have been removed from the voter list.
7. According to Election Commission rules, only those overseas voters who have not acquired citizenship of any other country are eligible to vote. Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) must retain Indian citizenship and present their original Indian passport at the time of voting in order to register as voters.