US President Donald Trump has renewed his push for Congress to pass legislation that would tighten voter registration and identification requirements in federal elections, citing India’s election system as an example.
Trump referred to chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar while making the case for mandatory photo identification for voters in the US. The bill would require people registering to vote in federal elections to provide documentary proof that they are US citizens. It would also require voters to show valid photo identification when casting their ballots. Under the bill, a person seeking to register would not be allowed to do so unless they presented documentary proof of US citizenship in person to the relevant election official by the registration deadline. Supporters of the SAVE Act argue that requiring proof of citizenship and photo identification would strengthen election security and prevent non-US citizens from registering or voting in federal elections.
He said Kumar asked the US administration how elections could be conducted without requiring voters to have a valid photo ID. The White House says the legislation is intended to ensure that only US citizens can register and vote in federal elections.
Opponents have raised concerns about the potential impact of the requirements on eligible voters who may not have easy access to the required documents. Critics have also argued that voter fraud involving non-citizens is rare and that stricter documentation requirements could create additional barriers to voting.
Earlier reporting noted: Trump noted that not even one per cent of voters in India used postal ballots in the recent general elections, and every voter had a valid photo identity document. Earlier reporting noted: US President Donald Trump has cited India’s election system and voter identification requirements as he renewed his call for the passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which seeks stricter citizenship requirements to vote in US elections.
