New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered a detailed investigation after reports surfaced that several foreign nationals allegedly cast votes during the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly elections despite no longer being Indian citizens.
According to reports and official sources, around 25 to 30 individuals holding foreign citizenship were allegedly identified after immigration authorities noticed indelible ink marks on their fingers during passport verification at Chennai and Madurai airports. Many of them were reportedly preparing to board international flights back to their countries of residence after participating in the elections.
The controversy first gained attention after social media reports highlighted the alleged involvement of foreign nationals in the voting process.
The controversy first gained attention after social media reports highlighted the alleged involvement of foreign nationals in the voting process.
BIG BREAKING: Foreign nationals arrested for fraudulent voting in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
About 25 foreigners (mostly Sri Lankan nationals) detained so far at Chennai & Madurai airports while trying to depart India — indelible ink spotted on their fingers.
More… pic.twitter.com/eye553oAJm
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) May 15, 2026
Sources stated that at least 17 individuals were detained over the past few days at Chennai International Airport, while two others were intercepted at Madurai Airport. Most of the detained persons were reportedly natives of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry who had acquired foreign citizenship in countries such as Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Authorities became suspicious after noticing indelible ink marks on the passengers’ index fingers during immigration checks. Upon questioning, several allegedly admitted to voting in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections before attempting to leave India.
Additional Commissioner of Police, Chennai Crime Control Bureau, A. Radhika, confirmed to the media that FIRs had been registered under provisions of the Representation of the People Act and other applicable laws based on complaints filed by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Chennai. The cases have reportedly been transferred to the crime branches of Chennai Police and Puducherry Police for further investigation.
Although the accused individuals were later released on bail, investigations are continuing. Officials suspect that some foreign nationals may have fraudulently retained Indian voter identity documents even after acquiring citizenship abroad.
Reports indicate that legal proceedings have been initiated under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and allied provisions dealing with impersonation, cheating, and fraudulent declarations.
The ECI has now sought detailed reports from Returning Officers regarding how non-citizens managed to remain enrolled in voter lists despite the Special Intensive Revision conducted ahead of the elections. Officials are particularly examining whether false declarations were made during the revision exercise.
Investigators are also probing the possibility that several foreign nationals arrived in India shortly after the election notification was announced specifically to participate in voting before returning overseas. Intelligence agencies reportedly alerted authorities after noticing unusual travel patterns among certain passengers.
Another viral social media clip allegedly showed passengers openly declaring at airports that they had come to vote for a particular political party.
Mohammaed Shabir & Abeena Begum of Sri Lanka voted in Tamil Nadu elections. https://t.co/Xckdi6LzMp
— Sniper (@avarakai) May 15, 2026
Police sources suspect that several individuals may still be inside India, waiting for indelible ink marks to fade before attempting international travel. Some reports even allege that political operatives may have helped certain individuals conceal or erase the ink marks.
The issue has also reignited debate around overseas voting rights and loopholes in electoral verification systems. Under Indian law, only Indian citizens are eligible to vote. Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who retain Indian citizenship may register as overseas electors under Section 20A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. However, persons who acquire foreign citizenship automatically lose their voting rights in India.
Legal experts pointed out that NRIs were granted voting rights through amendments introduced in 2010, but only Indian citizens holding valid Indian passports are entitled to exercise the franchise. Foreign nationals or Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders are not permitted to vote in Indian elections.
A social media response defending the SIR process argued that the issue involved former Indian citizens who allegedly voted “out of ignorance” after acquiring foreign nationality.
Looks like @PWilsonDMK is unaware of the methodology adopted for SIR.
The idea of SIR is2ensure no foreigner in the real sense came to India, obtain indian documents and vote. Those arrested were Indians who have taken foreign citizenship and inadvertently voted with ignorance https://t.co/BmsHBboS2k
— Kalyan Raman (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@KalyaanBJP_) May 15, 2026
This is not the first such incident. In 2025, immigration officials had reportedly requested the ECI to remove nearly 100 names of foreign nationals from electoral rolls after discovering that several individuals possessing foreign passports also held Indian voter identity cards. Earlier this year, around 60 foreign nationals were allegedly removed from Tamil Nadu voter rolls during scrutiny exercises.
The latest controversy has now intensified scrutiny on the electoral verification process in Tamil Nadu, particularly because the election produced a fractured mandate and led to complex alliance negotiations.
