HYDERABAD: A comprehensive drone surveillance system will be in place to ensure transparent, secure and efficient polling operations for the Jubilee Hills byelection on Tuesday.
This first of its kind initiative in the country, being executed by Hyderabad-based drone startup Hanuma Vyuh Private Limited, will see a fleet of 139 drones deployed across all 139 polling locations.
The system, to be jointly overseen by the District Election Officer and Telangana Chief Electoral Officer, sets a new standard in election monitoring, integrating innovation, transparency and public trust in the democratic process.
Under this pioneering system, a dedicated drone pilot and command unit will be stationed at each polling location, transmitting live aerial footage to the central election monitoring command centre.
The District Election Office will thus have a comprehensive, real-time visual map of polling activities across the entire constituency.
This groundbreaking initiative has been spearheaded by Hyderabad District Election Officer (DEO) and GHMC Commissioner R V Karnan. A curtain-raiser event showcasing the full-scale deployment was held at Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy Indoor Stadium, Yousufguda on Monday in the presence of Joint Commissioner of Police (West Zone) Tafseer Iqbal. During the launch, all the 139 drones were displayed simultaneously, symbolising the technological strength and preparedness of the district election administration.
The key benefits of the drone surveillance initiative include unprecedented monitoring such as real-time aerial tracking of crowd movement and voter flow across all polling stations. Enhanced security and order for proactive aerial oversight to prevent unlawful gatherings and ensure a peaceful voting environment. All operations will adhere to strict protocols to protect voter privacy and uphold the sanctity of the electoral process.
“Ensuring free, fair and transparent elections is our foremost duty. By leveraging drone technology, we aim to bring every polling station under real-time aerial observation. This initiative reflects
Hyderabad’s commitment to using technology for strengthening democracy and ensuring complete compliance with the Model Code of Conduct,” Karnan said.
“Drone-based surveillance will act as a powerful deterrent against any unlawful activities and will help our teams maintain peace and order throughout the polling process. It enhances situational awareness and enables quick, data-driven responses from the control room,” Tafseer Iqbal said.
“This is not just a step forward for India, but a giant leap for electoral transparency worldwide. While drones have been used in limited contexts earlier, deploying a dedicated drone at each polling station for continuous, real-time oversight is a world-first. We are proud that our technology is enabling this historic transformation,” Hanuma Vyuh Director Sumanth Adapala stated.