US President Donald Trump has held up India’s massive electoral machinery as a global gold standard for voter identification. He is using the Indian example to push for tighter laws back home.

In a series of recent statements, the US President cited India’s use of photo identity cards to make a case for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act. This proposed law would require Americans to show proof of citizenship to register and impose a nationwide voter identification requirement.

Trump praises Indian election standards

Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, President Trump highlighted the sheer scale of the Indian democratic exercise. "India's last Election had 646,000,000 Voters! Less than one per cent voted by mail, and every single Voter had to have a VALID Photo Identity Document," he wrote.

The US President also recalled a conversation involving India’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar. According to Trump, the Indian poll chief questioned the lack of identification requirements in American elections. "Earlier this month, India's Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, asked our Administration – How can you have Elections in the US without a valid Photo ID," Trump posted.

Global recognition for Indian poll machinery

Responding to the international attention, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that India’s electoral processes are already respected globally. While declining to comment directly on the US President’s political push, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "the credibility and robustness of India's election machinery are well-established facts globally".

Behind these established facts is a massive technical operation. Election Commission officials confirmed that nearly 100 crore (one billion) electors have been issued 'special' Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC). They explained that every one of the 1.2 million polling stations has its rolls audited by booth-level officers and political agents to ensure accuracy. Unlike the US, where mail-in voting is widespread, India restricts postal ballots to specific groups like the elderly, disabled, or government staff on duty.

Long history of voter identification

Former Chief Election Commissioner TS Krishnamurthy welcomed the praise, stating that India has "reasons to be proud" of its election management. He noted that the electronic photo identity card was introduced back in 1993 specifically to prevent impersonation and voting by non-citizens.

"It has come off very well, and it is an essential part of the Indian election management along with the electronic voting machine," Krishnamurthy said. He also pointed to a unique Indian safeguard: the use of indelible ink. This "ink that is not dissolvable" ensures a voter cannot return to cast a second ballot. He suggested that while the system faces domestic political criticism, Trump’s remarks should be seen as a comment on the robustness of the system itself.

Political barbs fly in New Delhi

However, not everyone in India is pleased with being used as a rhetorical tool in US politics. The Congress party scoffed at the praise, responding with sharp sarcasm. Pawan Khera, head of the Congress media and publicity department, suggested Trump take the Indian poll chief to America.

"Dear Donald Trump, Please take Gyanesh Kumar Gupta to America. And keep him there. We will send our EVMs too by the next available flight," Khera wrote on X. He added, "For all the insults and bullying you've sent our way, this is the least we can do for you. To SIR With Love, from India".

While the debate continues in Washington over the SAVE America Act, the Indian system remains a central point of comparison. A White House fact-sheet noted that while India and Brazil link voter IDs to biometric databases, the US still relies largely on "self-attestation" for citizenship. This difference is at the heart of Trump's demand: "We need to pass THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, now".