Trump’s Voter ID Executive Order: Recognition of India’s Aadhaar and Calls for Election Reform
U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order emphasizes the need for voter ID linked to biometric data, citing India and Brazil as examples. The order calls for heightened election integrity and threatens funding cuts for non-compliance. Congress acknowledged former PM Manmohan Singh’s role in introducing the Aadhaar card, noting the contrast with current political opinions on this system.
On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order emphasizing the significance of voter identification, citing India and Brazil’s systems that utilize biometric databases. This initiative aims to reform the American electoral process to ensure integrity and eliminate fraud. Trump stated, “Free, fair, and honest elections unmarred by fraud, errors, or suspicion are fundamental to maintaining our constitutional Republic.”
In his order, Trump noted, “India and Brazil, for example, are tying voter identification to a biometric database,” contrasting this with the U.S. which predominantly relies on self-attestation for citizenship verification. Following this mention, members of Congress expressed appreciation for former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s introduction of the Aadhaar card.
Congressman Manickam Tagore remarked on Trump’s acknowledgment, recalling that current Prime Minister Modi had previously criticized Aadhaar during its inception. He stated, “We all know that when the Aadhaar card was introduced by Dr. Manmohan Singh’s government, PM Modi criticised it… Trump’s praise for Aadhaar is the praise for the visionary leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh.”
The executive order underscores a perceived failure in the U.S. to implement essential election protections and mandates states to collaborate with federal agencies in sharing voter lists and prosecuting electoral misconduct. Additionally, states may lose federal funding if they fail to comply with the directive.
Furthermore, the order authorizes federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration, to provide data to election officials to help identify non-citizens on electoral rolls. This measure follows Trump’s continuous allegations of election rigging, especially concerning mail-in voting, which he claimed undermines security without presenting evidence.
In summary, President Trump’s executive order on U.S. elections emphasizes the need for robust voter identification measures, inspired by India’s biometric system. Congress members have recognized the contributions of Manmohan Singh in establishing the Aadhaar card, highlighting the contrasting views on biometric identification in Indian politics. The order aims to enhance election integrity while potentially withholding federal funding from non-compliant states, addressing concerns about election security amidst ongoing allegations of fraud.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
