New Delhi: The Election Commission has ordered removal of PM Modi’s picture from vaccine certificate, where elections are to be held in the next few weeks. According to the Election Commission, in the states where the code of conduct is in force, the picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot be used on the Covid vaccine certificate. The Trinamool Congress had complained to the Election Commission about this. The Election Commission has asked the Health Ministry to abide by the electoral rules in letter and spirit.
According to the information, in a letter sent to the Ministry of Health, the Election Commission has cited some provisions of the code of conduct, which ban advertising on government expenditure. According to sources, the Election Commission has not cited any person or personality, but has asked the Ministry of Health to follow the provisions of the code of conduct.
The source said that the Health Ministry will probably have to use filters so that the Prime Minister’s photograph is not printed on the certificate of Covid-19 vaccination in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry (where elections are to be held). It will take time to upload this filter to the system.
In West Bengal, the ruling TMC alleged in its complaint to the Election Commission that the photograph of Prime Minister Modi on the Covid-19 vaccination certificate obtained through the Co-Win platform in West Bengal and other electoral states is a violation of the model code of conduct. The party has termed the picture an abuse of authority by the Prime Minister. The model code of conduct is effective from 26 February after the announcement of assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.