Election officials are using two-wheelers for monitoring in the high-stake Mandya Lok Sabha constituency where Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy’s son K. Nikhil is taking on BJP-backed Independent Sumalatha.

As many as 13 bikes are being used in two shifts by election officials to visit narrow bylanes where four-wheelers cannot enter. Bikes are being used since Tuesday evening when the “silent period” before the poll day commenced.

P.C. Jaffer, Deputy Commissioner for Mandya district, said for the first time they had introduced flying squads that would go around in two-wheelers. Mr. Jaffer said the idea to introduce two-wheelers came from election observers who felt that they would not be able to keep an eye on the narrow bylanes in cars. He said 13 bike squads were criss-crossing the Mandya constituency to keep a hawk’s eye on activities.

The observers have also been instructed to check all police vehicles and government vehicles for cash or other items.

Meanwhile, Mandya constituency has reported the highest number of cases booked under the provisions of the IPC and the Representation of the People Act regarding distribution/intimation to induce voters.

20 cases

Of the total 78 cases booked, data released by the Election Commission shows that 20 were in Mandya. Besides, five cases of violent incidents related to poll campaiagn policies and rivalries were reported here, the highest among the 14 constituencies going for the polls on Thursday.