Honorable Panchayati Raj Minister, Shri Deepak Prakash, recently visited the State Election Commission to review technical innovations implemented in previous polls and preparations for the 2026 Panchayat Elections. Key highlights of the visit include: High-Level Meeting: The Minister met with State Election Commissioner Dr. Deepak Prasad and senior officials from both the Commission and the Panchayati Raj Department. Technological Focus: A detailed PowerPoint presentation showcased advancements aimed at making elections more transparent and efficient. Discussions centered on the deployment of Multi-Post EVMs, technology-driven reforms, and necessary legislative updates. Innovative Systems: The Minister lauded the Commission's use of Facial Recognition System (FRS) for voter identification and OCR-based counting methods, which have modernized the process. Efficiency & Planning: Shri Prakash specifically praised the Commission for executing high-tech electoral tasks within a significantly optimized budget. He also reviewed logistics, election planning, and budget management for the upcoming 2026 cycle. The session concluded with Dr. Deepak Prasad honoring the Minister with a bouquet and a statue of Gautam Buddha, marking a collaborative step toward a robust and tech-enabled democratic process.