Drones tech to ensure security and transparency in Jubilee Hills bypoll

The GHMC vigilance wing and Hyderabad police are deploying 139 drones across 407 polling stations for the Jubilee Hills bypoll on November 11. The drones will enable real-time surveillance to enhance transparency, prevent irregularities, and ensure smooth polling.

Hyderabad: The GHMC vigilance wing and Hyderabad police will jointly deploy 139 drones in all 407 polling stations to ensure the smooth conduct of the Jubilee Hills bypoll in Telangana. The devices will be operated from 7 am to 6 pm until polling ends on November 11 to enhance transparency and security.

“These 139 drones will be deployed covering all 407 polling stations, and will allow them for real-time surveillance, providing authorities with a bird’s-eye view of polling areas. This will help in identifying any irregularities or disturbances promptly,” Vigilance Additional SP and MCC nodal officer Narasimha Reddy told Telangana Today.

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A control room was set up at the GHMC head office to monitor drone usage, and webcasting was arranged in all 407 polling stations. The technology is expected to bolster security by monitoring large gatherings, preventing untoward incidents, and ensuring adherence to guidelines, according to a senior police official.

The first-time use of drones in this by-poll is likely to contribute significantly to maintaining law and order, as 4 lakh voters are prepared to cast their votes, the Vigilance Additional SP said.

There is a proposal that this initiative will set a precedent for future elections, making the process more transparent and efficient, said a senior bureaucrat of Telangana Secretariat.

The District Election Officer R V Karnan and Hyderabad Joint CP Tafseer Iqbal inaugurated the drone surveillance project at Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy Stadium, Yousufguda.