'Every voter had valid photo ID': Trump recalls talk with CEC Gyanesh Kumar, praises India's election system

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday praised India’s election system and called for the passage of the SAVE America Act, which seeks to require proof of citizenship and voter identification in US elections.In a post on Truth Social, Trump cited a recent conversation involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and highlighted India’s use of photo identification for voters.Trump said, "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?"Referring to the last general election, Trump said, "India's last Election had 646,000,000 Voters! Less than 1 per cent voted by mail, and every single Voter had to have a VALID Photo Identity Document."Trump also renewed his call for Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, saying, "We need to pass THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, now!"According to the White House, the proposed legislation seeks to ensure that only US citizens are eligible to vote in federal elections. "American citizens and only American citizens should decide American elections," the White House said, describing the bill as a "common sense, bipartisan bill."The legislation would require voters to provide valid identification and proof of US citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. It also proposes limiting mail-in voting to certain circumstances, including illness, disability, military service and travel, according to news agency ANI.The White House said the bill would further require states to remove non-citizens from federal voter rolls. "If you want to register to vote in the United States, you have to be a citizen in the United States," it said.The administration also compared US election practices with those of other countries, arguing that the US has weaker voter-identification safeguards. "India and Brazil tie voter ID to a biometric database, while the United States largely relies on self-attestation for citizenship," the White House said.The bill was introduced in Congress on January 29. Trump has repeatedly backed the SAVE America Act, arguing that stricter voter-ID and citizenship requirements are necessary to strengthen election security.What is Save America ActThe SAVE America Act is a proposed US law aimed at tightening voting rules in federal elections. It would:Require voters to show valid ID before registering.Require proof of US citizenship.Restrict mail-in voting, with exceptions for illness, disability, military service or travel.Require states to remove non-citizens from voter rolls.MAGA supremo Donald Trump has urged both Republicans and Democrats to support the bill, arguing that only US citizens should decide US elections.The bill also compares US election rules with those in other countries. It says India and Brazil link voter IDs to biometric databases, while the US largely relies on self-attestation of citizenship. It also points to stricter ballot and mail-voting rules in countries such as Germany, Canada, Denmark and Sweden.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.