Trump hails India’s voter identification system in poll order

US President Donald Trump has praised India’s biometric voter identification system after signing an executive order, which is aimed at addressing concerns over the lax enforcement of voting protections in America.

The move mandates stricter voter identification measures and calls for states to prosecute election crimes or risk losing federal funding.

Trump’s order specifically points to India and Brazil as models for voter identification, noting their use of biometric-linked voter databases.

The order read, “Despite pioneering self-government, the United States now fails to enforce basic and necessary election protections employed by modern, developed nations, as well as nations that are still developing.”

Favours biometric database

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An executive order, which is aimed at addressing concerns over the allegedly lax enforcement of voting protections in the US read, “Despite pioneering self-government, the United States now fails to enforce basic and necessary election protections employed by modern, developed nations, as well as nations that are still developing. India and Brazil, for example, are tying voter identification to a biometric database, while the United States largely relies on self-attestation for citizenship.”

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

The executive order comes as the Republican National Committee (RNC) launches a nationwide investigation into the maintenance of voter roll.

Seeking information on how election officials remove ineligible voters, including non-citizens and deceased individuals, public record requests have been sent to 48 states and Washington DC.

Trump has also vowed to take “more election actions” in the coming weeks, signalling a broader effort to reshape voting laws ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.