Drones banned till results are declared

The police have banned drone cameras in the state skies until the election results are out on May 15. The move is to prevent untoward incidents and compromise on safety.

The city police commissioner said there would be a blanket ban on drones until the model code of conduct is in place, adding that special permission based on necessity can be given only for indoor private functions.

The Election Commission and police department wanted to use drones, the latest technology, to extend security to special constituencies and sensitive booths. But the idea was shelved with no clearance and a circular from the poll body. The departments instead decided to tighten manual security in sensitive areas.

A senior police official said engineers with expertise in drones in Bengaluru contacted the police department to offer their help in watching over the booths on the election day (May 12). But the department had turned down the offer since the rules on drone usage are not clear and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) did not formulate guidelines on drones.

District Election Officer and BBMP commissioner N Manjunath Prasad said the rules laid down by the poll body are being followed with regard to the issue of drone usage.