Hurdles might arise for Biden as Republican senators decide to object to the certification of votes

A senator from the Republican party has stated that he will raise an objection to Congress’s certification of the recent US Presidential elections, AFP reported on Wednesday. 

This objection might result in a minor delay in the Congress’s official declaration of US President-Elect Joe Biden as the winner.

Similar statements have been given by multiple Republican party members of the US House of Representatives.  However, Josh Hawley from the state of Missouri was the first senator to make the statement publicly.  

The current US Vice President Mike Pence will be leading the joint session of the Congress which will be organised to certify the Electoral College votes and determine the winner of the US Presidential elections. 

Also Read: Donald Trump’s pardon to Blackwater convicts is ‘an affront to justice’, say UN experts

Joe Biden secured 306 of the Electoral College votes while current US President Donald Trump won 232. 

Traditionally, the process of certifying the Electoral College results has been a mere formality.

All the same, Donald Trump has refused to concede his defeat in the elections by claiming an election fraud without any legitimate and conclusive proof. 

US Courts have dismissed dozens of frivolous lawsuits put forward by the Trump Campaign claiming election irregularities. 

Mitch McConnell, Republican Senate Majority Leader, has reportedly attempted to discourage other Republican senators to raise an objection to the certification of Electoral College results. 

Also Read: Donald Trump son in-law’s family firm to raise $100 million in capital from Israeli Bond market

In the case of an objection in the House, it would open the floor for a debate followed by a vote. However, the results are definitive as the house would be dominated by Democrats in terms of votes. 

The Democratic speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, stated that the objection would not change anything significant.

Pelosi showed trust in the acceptance of the Electoral Votes and the declaration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the US despite the hurdles in the way. 

Josh Hawley said that the “election integrity” has been compromised and that is why he would be raising an objection. He also stated that this has previously been done by the Democrats. 

Donald Trump has also urged his supporters to gather in Washington on the day of the meeting and convince the officials to not certify Joe Biden’s electoral win.