Senior US federal and state election officials have said “the November 3 election was the most secure in American history,” thereby rejecting President Donald Trump’s claims of fraud.
In a statement issued by the Election Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council, a public-private umbrella group under the primary federal election security body, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), officials said there is no evidence of compromised ballots or corrupt voting systems in the United States presidential elections.
The statement came hours after Trump retweeted an allegation that an election equipment maker “deleted” 2.7 million votes for him nationwide.
Trump’s retweet, also claimed hundreds of thousands of votes had been switched from him to Biden in Pennsylvania and other states.
The statement admonished that, “There is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was in any way compromised.
“While we know there are many unfounded claims and opportunities for misinformation about the process of our elections, we can assure you we have the utmost confidence in the security and integrity of our elections, and you should too.
“When you have questions, turn to elections officials as trusted voices as they administer elections.”
It was signed by the heads of the National Association of State Election Directors and the National Association of Secretaries of State – the officials who manage elections at the state level – and by the chairman of the US Election Assistance Commission.
With most Republican legislators yet to acknowledge Biden’s win, Senate Minority Leader and the chamber’s top Democrat, Chuck Schumer, accused them of “denying reality” and “auditioning for profiles in cowardice.”
“Instead of working to pull the country back together so that we can fight our common enemy COVID-19, Republicans in Congress are spreading conspiracy theories, denying reality and poisoning the well of our democracy,” he said.
Republican legislators such as Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell have stood firm with Trump by supporting his refusal to concede and backing his legal challenges.
Earlier in senate he intimated that, “Obviously, no states have yet certified their election results. We have at least one or two states that are already on track for a recount.
“The core principle here is not complicated. In the United States of America, all legal ballots must be counted and all illegal allots must not be counted. The process should be transparent and observable, and the courts are here to work through concerns.”
Political experts have claimed Republican lawmakers are anxious not to alienate the Trump base, given that the president just won more votes than any incumbent ever, even though he is projected to lose.
They also believe Republicans may be invoking such a strategy as a way to rile up Trump’s base before two US Senate runoff elections in Georgia that will determine which party controls the chamber.
Democratic House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi demanded the Republicans stop what she called an “absurd circus” and turn to fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
“Now that the people have expressed their views, Joe Biden has won and Kamala Harris will be the first woman vice president of the United States,” Pelosi said.
Mr Biden is 5.3 million votes ahead of Mr Trump which represents a 3.4% lead, and is well beyond the 270 Electoral College votes required to win the presidency.
