Elections

The first democratic elections for Russians are happening in the United Kingdom

Where are the elections to?

In 2025, an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Russia and Democracy will be established to inform Parliament on Russian politics, support pro-democracy forces, advocate for Russians in the UK, and help shape UK policy on Russia and Ukraine. It will host events, engage experts and dissidents, with RDS serving as part of the APPG secretariat.

Who is being elected?

A Representative for Russians in the UK will be elected to advise on policy and serve as a bridge between the exile community and Parliament.

Responsibilities

Gather information on issues facing Russians in the UK
Propose policies to address these issues
Present recommendations to Parliament
Serve as a liaison between the exile community and Parliament
Raise awareness of community concerns

Rights

Speak on behalf of the Russian diaspora in the UK
Maintain direct communication with MPs and Lords engaged in the APPG
Build relationships with political leaders, civil society, and media
Participate in political events related to the APPG’s work

Who is eligible to run?

Anyone who has a Russian passport and has any type of residence permit in the UK.

If you want to run for this elections, sign up below.

How will voting take place?

For this elections, we will use Freedom Tool. How does it work?

Scan a QR code that will appear on this page on the day of the elections.

Use your phone to scan your passport. All data is processed and verified directly on your device—nothing is uploaded, shared, or stored anywhere else.

The app uses zero-knowledge proofs to confirm you’re eligible to vote—for example, that you’re over 18 and a Russian citizen—without revealing any of your personal information and ensuring one vote per citizen.

The app gives you a digital "voter badge" that confirms you're eligible.

You select your option and cast your vote. It is securely stored on the blockchain, anonymously, ensuring your vote cannot be traced or tampered with.

Once voting concludes, the results are published on the blockchain, ensuring they remain immutable, free from manipulation, and verifiable by anyone.

Learn More

Who can vote?

Any Russian citizen over the age of 18 is eligible to vote in the election for the Representative of Russians in the UK. Due to current technological limitations, it is not possible to restrict voting solely to Russians residing in the UK without first collecting detailed information about the electorate. As a result, we have decided not to impose a geographical restriction, even though the election pertains specifically to the UK APPG.
Who sponsors the elections?

Currently, the only cost associated with voting is the blockchain transaction (gas) fee, which is approximately $0.003 per vote. Therefore, if 50,000 Russians participate, the total cost would be around $150. These expenses will be covered using RDS funds raised through merchandise sales. If additional costs arise—such as advertising, event expenses for debates or candidate speeches, or any other costs related to facilitating the election—the sources and use of these funds will be transparently accounted for on this page.
Which voting system is used?

We will use the Runoff Voting (Two-Round System) to elect a representative because it ensures that the winner has broad majority support, while remaining simple, transparent, and familiar to most voters. The Runoff Voting system elects a winner by holding a second round between the top two candidates if no one achieves a majority in the first round.
Is there a minimum voter turnout?

No. Since this is the first run of such elections using a new and unfamiliar technology, we don’t expect high awareness or trust yet. The goal is to introduce the process, build understanding, and lay the foundation for broader participation in the future.
Who decides which candidates are eligible to run?

Anyone who is a Russian citizen living in the UK is eligible to run, provided they submit a manifesto or clearly outline their program and intentions for the position.
Is there a risk of voters’ data being compromised?

There is no centralized database containing voters' information, so it cannot be hacked or leaked. For more details, please see the White Paper by Freedom Tool, which explains Zero-Knowledge Proofs and how they protect privacy. You can also find information about the Freedom Tool audit here.
What is the point of these elections?

To choose a representative who will voice the interests and concerns of the Russian community in the UK. To give Russians the opportunity to exercise their right to vote and influence politics. To shift from popularity-based opinion leaders to legitimately elected representatives with a proper mandate. To enable fair competition between candidates and give Russians the chance to evaluate politicians based on their programs and hold them accountable. To confirm that Russians value democracy and are committed to building a foundation for fair elections in the future. To set a precedent for secure, technology-driven voting in diaspora elections, enabling Russians in other countries to hold fair and transparent elections as well. To enable genuine representation by ensuring politicians from foreign countries engage with officially elected representatives of Russians, rather than self-appointed ones. To gather insights and feedback that can improve future electoral initiatives. To test the election mechanism, ensure its security, audit the results for fairness, and prepare it for wider-scale use in the future.