Washington, July 22 (RHC)-- U.S. President Donald Trump has convened the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, in the face of weeks of controversy, seven lawsuits and new calls for the resignation of its vice chairman, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach.

Trump said the commission will look into his allegations of voter fraud during the 2016 presidential election. Trump has claimed, without any evidence, that between 3 and 5 million noncitizens voted unlawfully.

The commission has been criticized by Democrats and civil rights groups as a vehicle to suppress voting rights. Dozens of state lawmakers and civil rights groups denounced the group after it asked all 50 states to hand over detailed personal information about U.S. voters.

At least 45 states and the District of Columbia have refused to fully or partially comply with the request. Thousands of voters reportedly removed themselves from state voting rolls fearing their personal information would be shared with the Trump administration.