Trump suggests ‘delay’ in presidential polls

◗ The date of US election was set by an 1845 federal law, placing it on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Changing it requires agreement both by the Democrats who control the House and the Republicans who control the Senate. Neither side supports the idea.

Washington, July 30: United States President Donald Trump, who is reportedly trailing Democratic nominee Joe Biden in battleground states he won in 2016, took to Twitter on Thursday to float the idea of delaying the crucial presidential elections, scheduled for November this year. Saying that increased postal voting could lead to fraud and inaccurate results, he tweeted, “Delay the election until people can properly, securely and safely vote.”

While questioning the credibility of the mail-in voting system in his tweet, Mr Trump dubbed it the most “inaccurate and fraudulent election” ever that might prove to be a "great embarrassment”.

For months, several state governments in the US have been contemplating mail-in voting due to public health concerns that in-person voting may lead to an increase in infection cases.

There is little evidence to support Mr Trump's claims but he has long railed against mail-in voting which he has said would be susceptible to fraud.

Mr Trump also does not have the power himself to move the date of the election, which was set by an 1845 federal law placing it on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Seventy-two per cent of Trump voters say reelecting the President is important, while 62 per cent of Biden voters say defeating Trump is the goal.