A complaint has been filed before the Election Commission seeking removal of PM Narendra Modi’s photo from the Covid vaccine certificate issued after the first dose, stating that it is in violation of the Model Code of Conduct which came into effect when the EC declared dates for assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

The complaint has been filed by Midhun Shah, the state co-ordinator of Kerala State Youth Commission. "The certificate, issued for receiving the free Covid-19 vaccine in the state, carries photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and excerpts of his speech. As it may influence the election procedure, I request you to take necessary steps to remove it," he states in his letter to the EC.

"As the State-coordinator of the Youth Commission, I received the first dose of the vaccine this morning. I was surprised to see the Prime Minister's colour photo and wordings in it. I feel it is a violation of model code of conduct and so approached the EC seeking its removal," he told a news agency. 

Even the Trinamool Congress (TMC) had complained to the EC regarding the same, and accordingly it has sought a report from the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, within 24 hours.

The EC already directed petrol pumps and other agencies to remove hoarding with pictures of the Prime Minister in order to abide by the Model Code of Conduct in the state.

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