Election Commission asks Health Ministry to remove PM Modi's image from COVID-19 certificates

New Delhi : The Election Commission of India on Friday asked the health ministry to remove Prime Minister Narendra Modi's image from the COVID-19 health certificates in poll bound states.

The direction came after a complaint filed by TMC to the poll panel asking them to maintain the sanctity of the Model Code of Conduct.

Directing Health Ministry to remove the image in question, the election commission said, "the point of the model code of conduct is to ensure a level playing field, this goes against that as it can count as undue publicity."

Meanwhile, a TMC leader in his complaint alleged that PM Narendra Modi is exploiting his post and power.

Health Ministry in its defense mentioned that the medical certificates are being issues way before the elections are planned and are in accordance to ongoing scheme. The model code of conduct kicked into force later. And certificate is system generated.

The EC announced the poll schedule for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry on February 26.