Trump cites India’s Aadhaar-EPIC linking as model for US Voter ID system
New York: US President Donald Trump has referred to India’s Aadhaar-EPIC linking initiative as an example of strong election integrity measures while announcing new rules for voter identification in federal elections.
In an order issued on Tuesday, Trump mandated that voters in federal elections must provide proof of citizenship, such as a passport or other official documents. In the order, he drew a comparison between India’s voter identification process and that of the US, mentioning in the first paragraph that India has tied voter identification to a biometric database, whereas the US largely depends on self-attestation for citizenship.
“Despite pioneering self-government, the United States now fails to enforce basic and necessary election protections employed by modern, developed nations, as well as those still developing,” Trump stated.
The order marks a significant shift in US voting procedures, as the country does not have a centralised election system. Elections in the US are conducted under state and local laws, which vary widely. In contrast, India’s elections are overseen by a national Election Commission that enforces uniform rules and systems across the country.
India’s Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021 introduced the provision for linking Aadhaar with the Election Photo Identification Card (EPIC). The Election Commission of India is in the process of finalising the mechanism for its implementation, and many voters have already linked the two.
Trump’s order is expected to face legal challenges, as the conduct of elections in the US, including federal elections, is governed by state laws under the Constitution. California’s state law, which prohibits officials from asking voters for identification, directly conflicts with Trump’s order.
Democrats have criticised such identification requirements, arguing that they may disenfranchise poor and marginalised voters. Republicans, on the other hand, claim that lax voter ID laws have opened doors to election fraud.
Trump also highlighted voting practices in other countries, stating that Germany and Canada use paper ballots counted in public, reducing disputes over election results. He pointed out that nations like Denmark and Sweden limit mail-in voting to those unable to vote in person and reject late-arriving ballots.
The new order will also tighten rules for postal voting in the US. Trump criticised the current American system, which allows mass voting by mail, acceptance of ballots without postmarks, and those received after Election Day, contrasting it with Brazil’s model that requires voters to link their biometric ID with voter identification.
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Three footballers of Indian origin named in squads for FIFA World Cup 2026
New Delhi: Three footballers of Indian origin have been named in preliminary or final squads for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
According to a report published by Mathrubhumi, Sarpreet Singh was included in the New Zealand national football team squad which was announced on Wednesday.
Born in Auckland to Indian parents, Singh was eligible to represent India through his family roots but chose to play for New Zealand. The 27-year-old attacking midfielder made his senior international debut in 2018 and has since become a regular member of the national side.
Singh has made 26 appearances for New Zealand and has scored three goals while providing seven assists.
Julen Lopetegui has included two players of Indian origin: Niall Mason and Tahsin Mohammed, in Qatar’s selections for the tournament.
Mason, a defender whose mother is Indian, previously trained in the youth academies of Real Madrid, Southampton FC and Aston Villa FC. Although he received his first senior call-up earlier this year, the Qatar defender is yet to make his senior international debut.
Tahsin Mohammed, 19, was born to parents from Kerala’s Kannur district. His father Jamshid is from Thalassery, while his mother Shaima belongs to Valapattanam. The winger became the first player of Indian origin to feature in the Qatar Stars League, Qatar’s premier domestic football competition.
Mohammed has made two appearances for the senior Qatar side, including in a World Cup qualifier against Afghanistan in June 2024.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by United States, Mexico and Canada.
