Guwahati: On the Co-WIN platform, the Union health ministry has implemented filters to remove Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photo from vaccine certificates to be issued in the five poll-bound states. Following the Election Commission of India’s pronouncement, the Model Code of Conduct went into force on Saturday in five states, including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.
According to sources acquainted with the situation, the required filters were applied on Saturday night to remove Modi’s name and photo from immunization certificates.
On Saturday, the poll panel spoke to the media and announced the dates for the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur, and Goa.
It may be mentioned that the election will be held between February 10 to March 7 in seven phases and the counting of votes will be conducted on March 10.
The Model Code of Conduct for governments, candidates, and political parties goes into effect as soon as the Election Commission announces the poll schedule and remains in effect until the elections are concluded.
“Because of the model code of conduct coming into effect, the Health Ministry will implement essential filters on the CoWIN platform to omit the image of the prime minister from COVID-19 certificates being supplied to citizens in five poll-bound states,” persons familiar with the situation said.
The health ministry took a similar step in March 2021, ahead of elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry, as directed by the commission in response to objections from some political parties.