Thaindian News

Washington, Apr 17 (ANI): Arizona’s legislature has passed a “birther bill” asking US President Barack Obama to prove he was born in America before contesting the 2012 presidential elections.

If signed by Governor Jan Brewer, the state would be the first to pass such a requirement, the New York Daily News reports.

The Obama campaign had released a digitally scanned image of his birth certificate during the 2008 election and officials in Hawaii had insisted he was born in that state. Newspapers in Hawaii had also announced Obama’s birth in 1961.

However, speculation still prevails in America that Obama was born in Kenya, and therefore demanded additional proof.

Under the bill, Obama would have to provide other birth records, like baptismal certificates and hospital records.

Republican Representative Carl Seel of Phoenix, wrote the bill and said the measure was meant to maintain the integrity of elections.

“Obama drew the question out, but it’s not about him,” Seel said, noting that candidates for state offices would have to provide the same level of proof.

The bill, however, has been criticised by many in the country.

“Arizona is in the midst of a fiscal crisis. We’ve cut school funding. And they pass a bill questioning Obama’s citizenship? For real?” Democratic Senetor Kyrsten Sinema of Phoenix, said. (ANI)