Election Commission directs Centre to remove PM Modi's Photo from Covid Vaccine Certificates

New Delhi: Keeping in view the sanctity of the Model Code of Conduct ahead of the assembly elections, the Election Commission of India has asked the Central Government to remove the photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Covid-19 vaccine certificates of four states and one union territory headed for Assembly elections this year.

This development came after West Bengal's Trinamool Congress (TMC) objected to the use of the photo of the Prime Minister on the certificates of vaccination distributed by the Union Health Ministry.

Citing it as a blatant misuse of power, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien wrote to the Election Commission of India, following which the commission sought a report from the West Bengal Electoral Officer in the matter and then the Union Health Ministry was asked to remove the photos, as per reports.

The centre has been further instructed to adopt measures so as the photo of the PM does not appear on COVID-19 vaccine certificates in the poll bound states. The certificates, however, can carry PM's photos in other states.

The West Bengal Government alleged that apart from violating the poll code, the government has also made an attempt to steal the credit of the producers of the vaccine and doctors, nurses and healthcare workers and "appropriating their dues".

India's vaccination drive begin in January 16, and over 1.3 crore healthcare and frontline workers have received the shot since. The second phase of the drive, which widen the recipient pool to senior citizens and those aged over 45 years with comorbidities, began on March 1.

Four states and one union territory will be voting for its next government from March 27. Assam will vote in three phases March 27, April 1 and April 6. 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.

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