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Election Commission orders probe into voting by foreign nationals in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections
The Election Commission of India ordered a probe into allegations that foreign nationals voted in Tamil Nadu's assembly elections. A report was sought from returning officers across several cities and districts after arrests of foreign nationals in Chennai and Madurai, with investigations into how their names appeared on electoral rolls despite the Special Intensive Revision. The inquiry also examines potential misuse of SIR provisions and the impact on election results.
Why It Matters
The probe addresses potential integrity issues in electoral rolls and foreign involvement in state elections, with findings potentially affecting the legitimacy of results and future electoral procedures.
Timeline
8 Events
ECI to decide on impact of fraudulent votes
May 15, 2026
The status of the votes allegedly polled fraudulently and their impact on the election results would be decided by the Election Commission.
Police book arrestees under BNS and RP Act provisions
May 15, 2026
The police booked those arrested under Sections 172 (personation at elections) and 318(2) (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
Possible misuse of SIR provision allowing adults to sign on behalf of absent family members
May 15, 2026
A returning officer suggested that under a provision of the SIR, an adult voter could sign the declaration form on behalf of a family member not available at home, which could have been misused; investigation ongoing.
Inquiry into inclusion of foreigners' names in electoral rolls after SIR
May 15, 2026
Senior officers supervising the election process are examining how foreigners' names were included in the electoral rolls after the SIR, a state-wide exercise to revise rolls through door-to-door enumeration.
ECI orders probe and seeks reports from returning officers
May 15, 2026
The Election Commission ordered a probe into the allegations and sought a report from the returning officers of at least two cities and five districts about how foreigners managed to vote despite the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Immigration officials submit report to ECI
May 15, 2026
Immigration officials sent a report to the Election Commission of India regarding foreigners' movements and voting status.
Arrests/detention of foreign nationals in Chennai and Madurai
May 15, 2026
Around 25 foreign nationals from countries including Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom and Canada were arrested or detained in Chennai and Madurai on suspicions of fraudulently casting votes.
Tamil Nadu Assembly election held
April 23, 2026
The Tamil Nadu Assembly election took place on April 23, 2026.