New Delhi, August 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said the credibility and robustness of India’s election machinery are well established globally, hours after US President Donald Trump cited India’s electoral system while advocating stricter voter identification requirements in the United States.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks during a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi when asked about Trump’s comments.
“I have no specific comments to make on these remarks. I can say, however, that the credibility and robustness of India’s election machinery is a well established fact globally,” Jaiswal said.
Trump had referred to India’s electoral system while renewing his call for tighter voter identification rules and urging the US Congress to pass the proposed SAVE America Act.
Earlier this month, Trump said India’s Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had asked how elections could be conducted in the US without valid photo identification. Referring to India’s 2024 general election, Trump said it involved 646 million voters and claimed that less than one per cent voted by mail, while every voter was required to have valid photo identification.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also endorsed Trump’s remarks, saying the US Congress should pass the SAVE America Act.
The Republican-led US House passed a revised version of the legislation in February by 218-213 votes, with one Democrat joining Republicans. The earlier SAVE Act had passed the House in April but stalled in the Senate. The proposed legislation seeks documentary proof of US citizenship for registration in federal elections and valid photo identification at polling stations.
The MEA’s comments come amid continued international attention on India’s electoral process. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission of India hosted its largest-ever group of international delegates, who observed the electoral process firsthand.
A government statement issued in December 2024 said delegates appreciated aspects including transparency, Green Polling Stations and the use of technology, including randomisation of EVMs and VVPATs.
The 2024 elections also saw increased participation of women and youth, while voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir reached 38 per cent, the highest in the region since 1996, according to the statement.
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