Vijayawada, Dec 22 (PTI) The participation of all voters in elections is key to protecting democracy, while the accuracy of the voters' list is also equally important, a senior Election Commission (EC) official said here on Friday.

Addressing the collectors and superintendents of police (SPs) of all the 26 districts of Andhra Pradesh, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Dharmendra Sharma said every eligible person should be encouraged to exercise his franchise.

Also Read | BJP Promised To Provide Jobs, Now Doesn't Listen About Unemployment in Parliament, Says Rahul Gandhi (Watch Video).

"It is important to create awareness and encourage all eligible people to enrol their votes and exercise their franchise.... Relevant measures to increase the polling percentage should be taken," Sharma was quoted as saying in an official press release.

He directed the officials to identify the constituencies and polling booths that logged a low voter turnout in the past, analyse the reasons for such low polling percentage scientifically and initiate measures accordingly.

Also Read | Election Commission Announces Polling for Three Rajya Sabha Seats From Delhi, One From Sikkim on January 19.

Adhering to the EC's directives, Sharma instructed the collectors and SPs to conduct Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP)programmes.

He also directed them to ensure that all poll officials are properly trained and familiarised in election-related procedures and made accountable, without any room for error.

Meanwhile, the collectors gave a powerpoint presentation to an EC team led by Sharma on the preparations being made for the forthcoming polls, while the SPs briefed the officials on security arrangements.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)