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EC directs centre to remove PM’s photo from vaccination certificates

New Delhi, Mar 6: The Election Commission has asked the government to remove Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photo from coronavirus vaccine certificates in these states where model code of conduct is already in place, weeks before assembly elections start in four states and one union territory, sources said.

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress in a complaint to the Election Commission had alleged blatant misuse of official machinery by the Prime Minister in the state.
First the West Bengal Electoral officer was asked for a report on the matter after which the Union Health Ministry was asked to remove the photos. The government has been told to adopt a system so that PM Modi’s photo does not appear on vaccine certificates in poll-bound states.

However, in other states the certificates are permitted to carry the PM’s photo.

The West Bengal’s ruling party accused the PM of stealing credits from doctors, nurses and health care workers with the PM’s photo on vaccination certificates distributed by Union health ministry.

"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. He is blatantly appropriating the dues of a vast army of selfless doctors, nurses and health service workers," Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien wrote in the letter to the election body.

The Trinamool MP insisted the Election Commission must stop the PM from taking unfair advantage and undue publicity at the taxpayer’s cost during elections.

West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry will vote for their next government in the next few weeks as state polls begin March 27. Bengal will vote in eight phases, March 27, April 1, April 6, April 10, April 17, April 22, April 26 and April 29. Tamil Nadu and Kerala will vote in a single round on April 6. Puducherry will also vote on the same day. Assam will vote on March 27, April 1 and April 6.