Did foreigners vote in TN polls? ECI orders probe after 10 detained at airports

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered a probe into allegations that overseas nationals of Indian root voted successful the April 23 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, an authoritative said connected Saturday. The ECI’s enactment follows a study submitted by the constabulary aft 10 foreigners were arrested portion attempting to committee flights from the Chennai and Madurai airports, PTI reported. According to the constabulary report, airdrome authorities grew suspicious aft noticing indelible ink marks connected the scale fingers of the passengers and alerted the police. “They had utilized fraudulent Indian ID documents to formed the votes. The indelible ink was noticed connected their fingers erstwhile they attempted to alert out,” a constabulary authoritative told PTI. The accused were arrested successful 9 cases for allegedly casting votes successful the assembly polls. Police inquiries revealed that the individuals were from Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and Canada. As per ECI rules, an overseas elector indispensable beryllium an Indian national who has not acquired citizenship of different country. Those who person renounced Indian citizenship are barred from voting. Non-Resident Indians tin registry arsenic voters nether Section 20A of the Representation of the People Act and are required to nutrient their archetypal Indian passport astatine the polling booth.