Chennai, May 15:
Immigration authorities in Tamil Nadu have intercepted 17 overseas residents of Indian origin, including a woman, for allegedly violating election laws by voting in the recent Assembly elections despite not being eligible.
The action was carried out following specific instructions from the Election Commission of India, which directed officials to monitor outbound international passengers after polling and check for indelible ink marks—an indicator that a person has cast a vote.
Under Indian law, only Indian citizens are permitted to vote in elections. While Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) with valid Indian passports can vote if they are enrolled in electoral rolls, individuals who have acquired foreign citizenship lose this right. Authorities suspect that several foreign passport holders may have participated in the April 23 polls, prompting heightened surveillance at airports.
At the Chennai International Airport, immigration officials identified 15 such individuals who had allegedly voted in constituencies across Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Villupuram districts. Additional interceptions at Madurai airport took the total number to 17.
All those intercepted were handed over to the police for further action. According to the Greater Chennai Police, cases have been registered against 10 individuals, including four women. Among them, seven are from Sri Lanka, while the others are from the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and Canada.
The accused have been produced before a court, and legal proceedings are underway. Officials noted that while the arrival of overseas Tamils during elections is not uncommon, the unusually high influx this time raised suspicions, leading to stricter enforcement measures.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over electoral integrity and the need for tighter monitoring to ensure that only eligible citizens participate in the democratic process.