HYDERABAD: 139 drones to monitor Jubilee Hills bypoll for security, transparency
HYDERABAD: In a first for India, the District Election Officer (DEO), Hyderabad, has deployed a full-scale drone surveillance system for the Jubilee Hills by-election scheduled on November 11, 2025. The initiative, led by DEO R.V. Karnan, is designed to ensure transparent, secure and efficient polling.
A total of 139 drones one for each polling station will provide real-time aerial monitoring throughout the constituency. The project, described as the world’s first constituency-wide election surveillance system, has been executed by Hyderabad-based startup Hanuma Vyuh Private Limited.
Curtain-raiser event in Yousufguda
At a demonstration held at Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy Stadium, Yousufguda, on November 10, all 139 drones were showcased in a synchronised display. The event was attended by R.V. Karnan and Joint Commissioner of Police (West Zone) Tafseer Iqbal, among other officials.
Focus on transparency and security
“Ensuring free, fair and transparent elections is our foremost duty,” said Karnan. “By leveraging drone technology, we aim to bring every polling station under real-time aerial observation, reinforcing Hyderabad’s commitment to technological innovation in democracy.”
Tafseer Iqbal said drone surveillance would serve as a deterrent to unlawful activity and improve situational awareness. “It will enable our teams to respond quickly and maintain peace and order,” he added.
‘A world-first in electoral monitoring’
Sumanth Adapala, Director of Hanuma Vyuh, said the initiative represents “a giant leap for electoral transparency”. He noted, “While drones have been used before, this is the first instance globally of deploying one drone per polling station for continuous, real-time oversight.”
Each polling station will have a drone pilot and a command unit transmitting live visuals to a central control room. The DEO’s office will thus maintain a comprehensive live map of polling activity across Jubilee Hills.
Officials said the surveillance programme would ensure operational integrity while safeguarding voter privacy and adherence to the Model Code of Conduct.
