After detecting around 40 cases of foreign nationals of Indian origin allegedly voting in the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, investigators have shifted their focus to those who returned abroad shortly after the April 23 polling.

According to official sources, Central and State law-enforcement agencies are working with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to obtain data on suspected foreign nationals who might have voted in the election. Investigators have sought the assistance of the Bureau of Immigration, Government of India, in identifying foreign nationals who arrived in the State ahead of the election and departed within two to three days of polling.

Social media posts being scrutinised

The authorities are also scrutinising social media posts and videos in which individuals claimed to have travelled to Chennai, Bengaluru, and other cities, specifically to exercise franchise.

“It is possible to verify whether these individuals voted in the Assembly election. If they did, it would amount to cheating and violation of provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. We are also examining how their names were not removed from the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). If a voter is falsely shown to be residing in India, action will be taken against those responsible for making the false declaration,” a senior State government official told The Hindu on Monday.

The first case of alleged illegal voting came to light in the second week of May when a couple were questioned by immigration officials at the Madurai airport while preparing to board a flight to Colombo. Questioned about the indelible ink marks on their fingers, they admitted to having voted in the election using their Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPICs). They were subsequently handed over to the Avaniapuram  police.

‘False declaration’

In another case, a United Kingdom national of Indian origin was detained at the Chennai airport after admitting that he had voted in the Velachery constituency. He was handed over to the local police for further investigation.

“During the SIR, family members appear to have filled the enumeration form and signed it on behalf of the foreign national. This would amount to a false declaration. Proceedings will be initiated through appropriate channels against the individuals who voted and then left the country,” the official said.

Apart from prosecution for fraudulent voting, foreign nationals found to have voted in the election could face cancellation of their Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards, the official said. He added that any decision on the validity of the votes cast by foreign nationals in the Assembly election would have to be taken by the ECI.