Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Aug 22: US President Donald Trump has renewed his demand for mandatory photo identification and proof of citizenship for voters, placing election rules at the centre of his campaign to retain Republican control of Congress in the November midterm elections.

Addressing a Republican rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Friday, Trump called for passage of the Save America Act, which he said would strengthen election safeguards.

"Finally, we must pass the Save America Act to defend our sacred American elections," Trump said.

The President said the proposed legislation should require every voter to produce a photo identification document and establish that the voter is a US citizen.

"All voters must show photo voter, voter ID, and all voters must provide, very simply, proof of citizenship," he said.

Trump claimed his administration had secured a victory in the Supreme Court on the issue, but said legislation was still required to make the requirements permanent.

"We had a victory in the Supreme Court on this subject, but we gotta get it done permanently and good," he said.

Trump repeatedly accused Democrats of opposing voter identification and proof-of-citizenship requirements. He did not provide details about the court ruling or the proposed legislation during the rally.

"We want you to just show ID, please. Voter ID with a photo if it's okay," Trump told supporters.

Darlene Graham, the Republican Senate candidate Trump was campaigning for, also endorsed the measure. She said the Save America Act was the first bill she had co-sponsored.

"If you need an ID to check out a library book, you definitely need one to vote," Graham said.

She also pledged to support ending the Senate filibuster if that were necessary to secure passage of the legislation.

"And you know what else? I'll end the filibuster to save it and get it passed," she said.

Trump linked the voter identification debate directly to the November midterm elections, warning that Democratic control of Congress could threaten his border, tax and other domestic policies.

He urged supporters to treat the election as though his own name were on the ballot, arguing that Republican candidates needed the same voters who had supported him in presidential elections.

"What I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I'm on the ballot," Trump said.

"I am on the ballot. We're all on the ballot. Our country's on the ballot," he added later in the speech.

Trump also repeated his claims about election integrity and called on Republicans to secure a decisive victory.

"We have to make the midterm elections too big to rig," he said.

The President warned that Democrats would seek to impeach him if they regained control of Congress. He alleged that some Democratic lawmakers were already discussing impeachment, although he did not identify a specific reason.

"You have to get out and vote in the midterms," he told supporters.

Trump's voter identification proposal formed part of a broader list of priorities he said Republicans would pursue. These included tougher criminal penalties, changes to healthcare payments, lower prescription drug prices and restrictions concerning transgender athletes and medical procedures involving children.

Unlike India, the United States does not have a single nationwide voter identification system.

In India, the Election Commission issues photo identity cards to registered electors, although other approved documents may also be accepted for identification at polling stations.