Donald Trump mentions India’s voter ID system in ‘proof of citizenship’ order, Congress remembers Manmohan Singh’s role

US President Donald Trump highlighted the election process in India and Brazil, where voter identification is linked to biometric databases, in a signed executive order on Tuesday as a measure to reform the election system of the United States.

“Free, fair, and honest elections unmarred by fraud, errors, or suspicion are fundamental to maintaining our constitutional Republic. The right of American citizens to have their votes properly counted and tabulated, without illegal dilution, is vital to determining the rightful winner of an election,” the US President stated in the executive order.

What did the order say about India?

“India and Brazil, for example, are tying voter identification to a biometric database, while the United States largely relies on self-attestation for citizenship,” the order reads.

Congress reacts

With Trump's mention of the biometric database in India, Congress thanked former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for introducing the Aadhar card in India.

Reacting to Trump's recognition, Congress MP Manickam Tagore told ANI, "We all know that when the Aadhaar card was introduced by Dr Manmohan Singh's government, PM Modi criticised it. He raised many questions about Aadhaar. In 2013 also, when he was speaking in public meetings, he criticised the Aadhaar...US President Donald Trump's praise for Aadhaar is the praise for the visionary leadership of Dr Manmohan Singh..."

What did Donald Trump's executive order say?

Trump's executive order claims that the US has failed “to enforce basic and necessary election protections” and asked states to work with federal agencies to share voter lists and prosecute election crimes. In case of non-compliance, the order threatens to pull federal funding from states.

It also directs federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Social Security Administration, and the State Department, to share data with election officials that could help them identify non-citizens on their rolls.

The recent order on the election process comes after Trump repeatedly claimed elections are being rigged, even ahead of the declaration of results. He spoke against mail voting without evidence, as it’s insecure and invites fraud.