EC directs removal of PM Modi’s photo from COVID vaccine certificates

By Team Newsable | First Published Mar 6, 2021, 3:41 PM IST

The Election Commission has asked the Central Government to remove PM Narendra Modi's photo from Covid-19 vaccine certificates of five states where the assembly polls are scheduled to take place.

The Election Commission had sought a reply from the Health Ministry on the issue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's picture in the digital certificate of corona vaccine. The commission directed the central government to remove the picture from the certificates of four states and Union Territories, including West Bengal.

The step was taken in order to maintain the sanctity of the Model Code of Conduct weeks before assembly polls in the five states.

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A few days ago, the TMC had said that the picture of PM Modi on coronavirus vaccination certificates violates the model code of conduct.

In a letter to the Election Commission, TMC MP Derek O'Brien wrote, “By placing his photograph, name and message on the provisional certificates issued by the Ministry of Health and Family welfare, he is not only exploiting his post and powers but also stealing commendable credit from the producers of Covid vaccines.”

Following the complaint, the EC has asked the health ministry to remove the picture of PM Modi from the COVID vaccination certificates.

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An official of the commission, who did not want to be named, told the media, "First of all, we need to know the truth. It is first necessary to know whether the picture of the Prime Minister was given in the certificate on the instructions of the Ministry of Health. In that case, it is very important to know the opinion of all parties.”

However, on Wednesday (March 3), the commission directed to remove Modi's picture from petrol pumps in all the states before the upcoming polls.

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