In a quick response to a complaint by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) regarding the photograph of Prime Minister Modi from Covid vaccination certificates, the Election Commission (EC) has asked the Central Health Ministry to remove Modi’s photograph, at least from poll-bound states.
The EC had sought a report from the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, within 24 hours. In response, the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal stated that the vaccination scheme is a central government scheme and thus the EC took the matter to the 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,” TMC leader and MP Derek O’Brien wrote to the EC in his complaint.
A similar complaint was lodged by Kerala’s State Youth Commission state coordinator. The certificate, issued for receiving the free COVID-19 vaccine in the State, carries a 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 stated in his letter to the EC.
The contention of many who opposed the usage of PM Modi’s photo on vaccine certificates was that it was in violation of the Model Code of Conduct which came into effect when EC declared dates for assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
“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.
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