Election '99: A GIS based real time application over NICNET


Realtime Maps Using GIS 

The Usual way of presenting the election data derived from the districts will be a tabular form or simple statistics. In the new approach, the data derived from the "data base server" (DATA SERVER) is presented in a map form. The maps are updated every 3 minutes, presented as a map for the lead party for allindia and statewise scenario. The real time maps were generated using the Map Generation System Interface (MGSI), consisting the Spans GIS, EASI Scripts, Java Script for ODBC connectivity and File Dog.

Methodology

Methodology


Base Map :
The constituency boundary given by the SOI is extracted for the predefined states and one for the national level. The constituency codes were checked for their correctness with the code of ECI and validated. The Color codes for the national alliance were assigned with following colours:


Base Map

Data Base Updation : 
The required data for the GIS real time map creation were derived from the DB2 server, through the JAVA script, which enables the required fields updated in the local machine, through a ODBC driver for Dbase. 

Spans Script:
The SPANS GIS software has an ability to incorporate the functions through the EASI language /script. In addition it can handle other programming languages like C or C++ so that the capabilities shall be enhanced. 

The Script will basically handle the function of updating the real-time data from DATA SERVER thereafter the layers are opened and maps were generated based on predefined colors. The script take care for the legend controls and positioning on the screen. While creating the maps, the script enables the map displayed with a time stamp, giving an idea about the time of generation. The maps are saved as slide in JPG format so that they shall be placed on web.

File Dog :
The File Dog software is utilized to place the image files from the ELECTION server to the PARAM. The file dog has a facility to run the process at user defined schedule, enabling the files updated from time to time round the clock.

Conclusions
The creation of the Automated GIS Election Mapping System at the NIC is regarded as a very successful application of the GIS technology. The project has achieved all it's established objectives and has provided several advantages over the traditional system.
  • GIS environment provides the ability to relate the tabular data to the geographic features and be able to perform spatial and overlay analyses
  • Automates the process of generating Lead Party Maps to the maximum possible extent.
  • Cost-savings through the use of automated tools compared to the earlier manual process
  • Easy to use script based tools for Map Generation
  • Easier to maintain the maps; 
  • MGSI can be run in a batch mode to automatically generate maps without user supervision; usually very minimal, to the automatically generated maps; 
Future Direction
The Constituency Map shall be added with the useful information like Number of polling stations, the category of the polling station etc,. By click of the mouse over the image the information shall be made available to the user. The Bio-Data of the MP's will be attached to their respective constituency. The feedback form for placing inputs will be placed at the main page, for further refining the process & better shape to the application.


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