Trump doubles down on voter fraud claim in US election

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump responds to a question during the town hall debate at Washington University, in this October 9, 2016 photo, in St Louis, Missouri. (AFP)

NEW YORK: Facing sinking poll numbers and accusations of sexual assault, Donald Trump doubled down Monday on charges that the presidential campaign is being rigged, warning of “large scale voter fraud” in the US election.
With just three weeks to go in the rollercoaster presidential race, the brash billionaire Trump sharpened his message that the election system is plagued with deep problems, despite vehement denials by members of his own party. The Republican nominee takes the stage Wednesday with his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in their final debate.
But neither candidate has focused much on policy in recent weeks, as Trump intensifies criticism of the election system, raising concerns about possible post-election unrest should he lose.
“Of course there is large scale voter fraud happening on and before election day,” Trump wrote on Twitter, without backing up his charge.
“Why do Republican leaders deny what is going on? So naive!“
In a series of tweets the previous day, Trump also railed against the media, as tensions mount ahead of the November 8 election.
“Polls close, but can you believe I lost large numbers of women voters based on made up events THAT NEVER HAPPENED. Media rigging election!” Trump wrote.
After the first debate, Trump said he would respect the election result. But he backtracked in an interview with The New York Times last month, saying, “We’re going to see what happens.”
Trump’s running mate Mike Pence sought to ease tensions, insisting his camp would accept defeat if voters reject the Republican ticket at the polls.
“We will absolutely accept the results of the election,” he told CBS Sunday.
One official who oversees election operations in his state, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, a Republican, insisted Monday that Trump was being “irresponsible” for warning of voter fraud.
“If there is a systemic problem, please identify it. Don’t just make an allegation on Twitter. Tell me,” Husted said on CNN.
“They’re not going to be rigged,” he said of the election. “I’ll make sure of that.”
Clinton’s campaign manager Robby Mook told reporters that Trump’s warnings about election rigging are meant to divert the public’s gaze from the candidate’s own shortcomings.