Police Detain 25 Foreign Nationals for Illegally Voting in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Elections

In a significant development during the recent Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, authorities have apprehended approximately 25 foreign nationals for allegedly participating in the voting process using identity documents that were reportedly acquired through fraudulent means. According to reports from The Hindu, the majority of those detained cast their votes in Chennai, while two others were implicated in Puducherry.

The issue arose when immigration officials at Chennai and Madurai airports noticed indelible ink marks on the fingers of these individuals, a clear indication that they had recently voted. Under the guidelines set by the Election Commission, only Indian citizens, including Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), are allowed to vote. NRIs must present a valid Indian passport at polling stations, and acquiring citizenship of another country disqualifies individuals from voting in Indian elections.

The operation to identify and detain these foreign voters commenced last week, leading to the registration of multiple cases under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Representation of the People Act, among other relevant laws. Chennai’s Additional Police Commissioner, A. Radhika, confirmed to The Times of India that the first information reports (FIRs) were filed following complaints from the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office in Chennai.

While police officials have indicated that the majority of those detained were Sri Lankan citizens, other nationalities involved include individuals from the United Kingdom, Canada, and Indonesia. These individuals, who have since been released on bail, are under investigation for their alleged misconduct during the electoral process.

This incident has raised concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral system in India and highlights the rigorous checks in place to maintain the sanctity of the voting process. As the investigations continue, authorities are keen on ensuring that such violations are addressed promptly to uphold democratic values.

Source: scroll.in