Developing a Unique Identifier of Smallest Possible Ballot Area that Create One-One-Match with Voting Unit Identifier for Efficient Election Management in Jos South LGA Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

The in-efficient approach adopted in managing election data by the Election Management Body (EMB), coupled with none-application of Geographic Information System (GIS) resulted into series of election fraud, particularly in the 2023 general election and the recent off-season governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo States in November 11th, 2023. That is why this article aimed at using GIS in developing unique identifier for the smallest possible ballot area that create one-one-match with voting unit identifier, in order to effectively manage election process. That is why, developing a unique identifier of smallest possible ballot area that create one-one-match with voting unit identifier for efficient election management is so generic, particularly when establishing a geo-spatial election database. A Geo-Relational Database Management System (GRDBMS) on MySQL format was developed after a detailed study data needs assessment which provides a ‘strong entity relation’ table. The result at prompt of ArcGIS using ‘Polling unit’ as the Strong Entity (SE) revealed in tabular format showing one-one-match voter. That is, each voter is designated a specific ballot point, name and address geo-coded and other bio-metric characteristics in spread sheet. This indeed enable the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to effectively plan for election and be the owner and custodian of election fundamental datasets for election planning processes.