President Donald Trump, citing practices in countries like India and Brazil, where voter identification is linked to biometric databases, signed an executive order on Tuesday to overhaul the US election system.
The executive order states that despite pioneering self-government, the United States now “fails to enforce basic and necessary election protections” used by both developed and developing nations.
“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.
The US President called for free and fair elections, emphasising the need to ensure votes are accurately counted and protected from fraud or illegal interference.
“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.
Trump said that under the Constitution, state governments must safeguard American elections in compliance with federal laws that protect voting rights and guard against illegal voting, discrimination, fraud, and other forms of malfeasance.
He added that the United States has not adequately enforced federal election requirements, such as prohibiting states from counting ballots received after Election Day or allowing non-citizens to register to vote.
