Former Election Chief Backs Trump’s Praise for India’s Voter ID System

Krishnamurthy identified the 1993 rollout of electronic photo identity cards as the turning point for national poll integrity. By mandating these cards alongside the deployment of electronic voting machines, officials effectively neutralized the threat of non-citizen participation and fraudulent ballots. These safeguards remain central to the commission's ability to manage massive electoral turnouts.

Addressing the technical divide between the two nations, Krishnamurthy pointed to the decentralized administration of US elections as a stark contrast to India’s standardized federal approach. He highlighted the use of indelible ink as a simple yet potent barrier against repeat voting, a feature that reinforces the physical security of the polling booth. While the endorsement has drawn mixed political reactions, Krishnamurthy urged observers to separate the diplomatic nod to India’s administrative success from domestic partisan friction.