Govt Removes PM Modi's Photo From Covid-19 Vaccine Certificates In Poll-Bound States After EC Rap

Union Health Ministry has applied filters in its Co-Win platform in poll-going states and a Union Territory to exclude the Prime Minister’s picture from the COVID-19 vaccine certificates.

(Representative Image/ Getty)

New Delhi: As campaigning reaches its zenith in the poll-bound states, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre which contests the elections in every state under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has excluded his picture from the COVID-19 vaccine certificates following the Election Commission’s directions.

PTI reported sources as saying the Union Health Ministry has applied filters in its Co-Win platform in poll-going states and a Union Territory to exclude the Prime Minister’s picture from the COVID-19 vaccine certificates.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan is learnt to have told the Election Commission in a letter on March 9 that technical measures to comply with the poll body’s directions “have been explored promptly”.

This comes as the Election Commission had following a complaint received by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) asked the Union Health Ministry to follow the Model Code in letter and spirit.

The poll body had suggested the use of filters in the Co-Win platform to exclude the Prime Minister’s picture in COVID-19 certificates being given to the people in the poll-bound states of Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Sources, however, added the Election Commission did not refer to any individual or personality but had asked the Health Ministry to follow the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in letter and spirit.