Trump’s Executive Order Highlights India’s Voter ID System and Election Reforms

President Trump issued an executive order focusing on election reforms in the U.S., citing India’s voter ID system linked to biometric databases. He proposed measures to enhance election integrity and threatened consequences for states failing to comply. Congress acknowledged former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s role in introducing the Aadhar card, linking it to Trump’s recognition.

On Tuesday, United States President Donald Trump emphasized the election procedures of India and Brazil in an executive order aimed at reforming the United States election system. He highlighted the linkage of voter identification to biometric databases in these countries, contrasting it with the U.S. reliance on self-attestation for citizenship validity.

In his order, President Trump asserted, “Free, fair, and honest elections unmarred by fraud, errors, or suspicion are fundamental to maintaining our constitutional Republic.” He stressed that ensuring American citizens’ votes are accurately counted is critical to determining rightful election winners.

Following Trump’s comments on India’s biometric database, representatives from Congress acknowledged the contributions of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in implementing the Aadhar card. Congress MP Manickam Tagore noted the earlier criticisms by current Prime Minister Modi regarding Aadhar during its introduction, suggesting Trump’s recognition reflects positively on Singh’s leadership.

The executive order reveals President Trump’s perception that the United States has not adequately enforced necessary election protections. It instructs states to collaborate with federal authorities to manage voter lists and prosecute election-related crimes, warning that non-compliance may lead to a withdrawal of federal funding.

Additionally, the order mandates federal agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration, to assist election officials in identifying non-citizens in voter rolls. This initiative follows Trump’s frequent claims of election rigging, particularly targeting mail-in voting, which he described as prone to fraud without providing evidence.

In summary, President Trump’s executive order signifies a call for enhanced election integrity within the United States, inspired by practices in India and Brazil. The acknowledgment of Manmohan Singh’s contributions to India’s biometric voter ID system has also elicited a reflection on leadership and election reforms. This initiative highlights the potential consequences of non-compliance for states and aims to strengthen the safeguards surrounding the electoral process.

Original Source: www.livemint.com