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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Mumbai, Apr 3 (PTI): A special NIA court on Thursday granted interim bail to Elgar Parishad-Maoist link case accused Mahesh Raut from April 20 to May 16 to appear for his law degree exams.
Raut was arrested in 2018 for his alleged role in the case and is currently lodged in Taloja jail in neighbouring Navi Mumbai.
Special Judge Chakor Bhaviskar granted Raut bail to appear for the second semester Bachelor of Laws (LLB) exams in Mumbai.
The special National Investigation Agency court granted Raut temporary relief on executing a personal recognition bond of Rs 50,000 with a surety of the same amount.
The court also allowed him to appear for the semester one ATKT (allowed to keep terms) exam on April 4 and viva-voice and assignment presentation on April 9 under police escort.
It also directed Raut to furnish proof of his residential address for this period as well as an active mobile number to jail authorities and the probe agency.
The accused shall not misuse the liberty granted to him and shall immediately surrender to the jail authority on the same day when the examination is over, the court said.
Raut and 14 other activists were booked in connection with allegedly provocative speeches that were delivered at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017. It triggered violence at Koregaon Bhima there the next day.
As per Pune police, the conclave was backed by Maoists.
The National Investigation Agency later took over the probe into the case.