ABSTRACT
This study gives an insight to the site selection of electoral polling unit using geospatial technology for Zaria, Kaduna State Nigeria aimed at creating an appropriate model for citing polling units. For the purpose of this work, a base map, SRTM data, pollulation data and Landsat 8 satellite imagery were used to generate the land-use map of Zaria and to as well show the nature of the topography of the study area using ArcGIS 10.1, and IDRISI software. A seven parameters criterion was extracted from INEC objectives and summarized to polling unit proximity to voters, Road accessibility to INEC officials, Land use (public buildings, and open spaces), Clinic proximity, Slope and elevation, GMS masts and Water bodies. The generated thematic maps of these criteria were standardized using fuzzy logic approach. A weight for each criterion was generated by comparing them with each other according to their importance. With the help of these weights and criteria, final site suitability map was prepared. Analyzes of the data to determine a relative suitability for each goal was carried out and finally reclassifying preference into three categories of high, medium and low. Using geospatial techniques (multi-criteria evaluation) in IDRISI selva software, and ArcMap 10.1 to create map of existing polling units, suitability map, and comparision map are the results obtained. Comparison of existing and proposed polling units area was made with the aim of determining areas of similarity and areas of disparity. A final suitability map was created for locations of proposed polling units. It was shown how AHP and GIS can be used to create a suitability model of polling unit sites.