New Delhi: The Election Commission has asked the health ministry to ensure that the photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is removed from Covid vaccination certificates in poll-bound states in order to maintain the sanctity of the Model Code of Conduct, ThePrint has learnt.
The EC had Wednesday asked the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal for a report on Modi’s photo being used on the digital certificates being given to Covid-19 vaccine recipients, after the Trinamool Congress lodged a complaint with the poll panel in this regard.
The Trinamool complaint followed a report in ThePrint that highlighted how several Opposition parties, especially in non-BJP-ruled states, were upset that the certificates carried a photo of Modi.
According to sources in the EC, the Chief Electoral Officer of Bengal replied to the poll panel stating that the vaccination scheme is a central government scheme, and it is after that the EC took up the matter with the health ministry Thursday.
“The health ministry replied to us saying that the vaccination scheme was rolled out before elections, and therefore the photo of the PM is digitally built into the certificates,” an EC official told ThePrint on condition of anonymity.
“The ECI subsequently drew the ministry’s attention to the Model Code of Conduct guidelines, and has asked them to immediately ensure that the photos are removed from the system at least in poll-bound states,” the official added.
ThePrint reached the EC spokesperson for a comment via call and text message. The spokesperson said no such information was available with her.
Also read: EC petitioned to remove PM Modi’s photo from Covid vaccine certificate issued in Kerala
‘PM exploiting his post and powers’
In his letter to the Election Commission, Trinamool MP Derek O’Brien had said that the prime minister’s photo on vaccination certificates amounted to “blatantly misusing official machinery” ahead of the assembly polls in West Bengal, taking away credit from healthcare workers.
“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,” O’ Brien wrote.
“He is blatantly appropriating the dues of a vast army of selfless doctors, nurses and health service workers,” he said.
Also read: EC seeks report on PM Modi photo on Covid certificates after TMC alleges poll code violation