Election Assessment in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State Using Geographic Information System Based Approach

Abstract

Geographic Information System based Approach to electoral mapping is an efficient platform that provides database useful for electoral officials to conduct elections, manage and analyze electoral dynamics. Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State has recorded successions of election violence in some specific locations which has led to cancellation of election result in those areas, with challenges ranging from ballot stuffing, manipulation of result sheets, illegal creation of result sheet and a host of others. This study is aimed at using geographic information-based approach to monitor elections in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. The objectives include; to digitize the required existing map of the study area, to generate thematic datasets needed for the study, to create a robust electoral database and conduct spatial and attribute queries that will show the potential of GIS in election monitoring within Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. The methodology employed in this study involved the conversion of analogue map to digital map which also involved the process of scanning, georeferencing, digitizing, geodatabase creation and query generation. The result obtained are the depiction of the spatial location of polling units within the study area, query result showing polling units with voter population above 500, 1000 and 2000 respectively, the depiction of polling units with records of violence that led to the cancellation of election result in the 2019 Presidential/House of Assemblies election. The study was able to find out that there are no polling units around Ochigi, Olaji at Ojikpalada ward in Dekina LGA. It was also able to find out that, just 20% of the entire population of Anyigba occupants is registered voters. This study was able to recommend that more polling units should be created at Ochigi, Olaji at Ojikpalada ward and also, more voter education and sensitization be carried out at Anyigba to increase voter population and create election awareness.