However, five key steps ought to have been taken to carry out the geo-coding process at the prompt of the file geo-database of ArcMap in AcrGIS version 10.3 some of which include; creating an address locator; creating a composite address locator; finding addresses; geocoding addresses in a table and rematching unmatched addresses and using the alternate street name and place name and aliases: but for the peculiarity of the type of data available for this article, the following approach was adopted; the point attribute data set obtained from NPopC was aggregated or harmonized into a standard format, then rehabilitated all the geographic data to valid reference data (i, e., Geo-reference) in the same geographic coordinate system or unit, which can be used for spatial analyses. Although, postal address and or e-mail address could also be used to describe a ‘Place’ or location of a voter, it could also be by vernacular, text-based descriptions; as long as it can be easily understood by people, it can still be converted. But it must pass through some processes before being used by the geo-coder at the prompt. The in-built algorithm after setting the required parameters for both rural and urban, voters, because the pixel size for urban voters is larger than those in rural; the voters in rural settings may not have access to move easily on Election Day, because of their topography, hard-to-reach area or lack of transportation to ballot places. Then the geo-coder generates coordinates of the residence of each voter, attributes and nearest voting point on an Excel spreadsheet as shown in. Note that, once the parameters are set, all other actions are implicit, it is only the result that appears on excel format [4]. In order to further affirm the nearest ballot area of the study as generated by the geo-coder, Manhaata Spatial Distribution Index (SDI) was adopted thus; Rn = šāš ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦..(1) Where: Rn = the nearest neighbor index: a = the size of the study area (0.03669): d= the mean distance between polling units (200m): n= the number of Polling units (92): 9.5916 *.002=191.832/36.69=5.2284 Approx.= 5 The Rn value is from when there is no distance at all to 2.15 (i.e. 0-2.12); this means when polling unit has a minimum spacing and regularly distributed. See Table 2, a sample of the twelve electoral wards for the study.
Author(s) Details:
Isa Agaie Dawodu
Department of Geo-informatics and Surveying, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNN), Nigeria.
Francis Ifeanyi Okeke
Department of Geo-informatics and Surveying, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNN), Nigeria.
Mubarak Umar Faruk
Department of Geo-informatics and Surveying, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNN), Nigeria.
Yusuf Ibrahin Kuriwa
Department of Geo-informatics and Surveying, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNN), Nigeria.
Recent Global Research Developments in the Key Steps to Carry Out the Geocoding Process
Data Collection and Preparation:
- Gather voter data, including residential addresses.
- Ensure data quality by verifying and standardizing addresses.
- Geocode the addresses to obtain latitude and longitude coordinates.
GIS Integration:
- Import the geocoded data into a GIS platform (e.g., ArcGIS).
- Create a file geodatabase containing point attribute data for all voters.
Geo-Coding:
- Use the GIS softwareās geo-coder to convert addresses into spatial coordinates.
- Set parameters for urban and rural areas.
- Obtain location information (latitude, longitude) for each voter.
Result Analysis:
- The spreadsheet format reveals details such as voter names, demographic characteristics, and nearest voting points.
- This information helps reduce multiple voting, increase voter participation, and aids effective planning by the election management body (INEC).
Geo-enabled election for efficient management of election processes in Du District of Plateau [1]
- One of the major reasons adduced by the military junta in the recent waves of coup-dāetat experienced in Africa and some West-Africa sub-region was floored election process hence the need for geo-enabled election process that is vivid.
References
- Dawodu, I. A., & Okeke, F. I. (2023). Geo-enabled election for efficient management of election processes in du district of plateau. World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences, 10(2), 010-017.
