Please make Donation then complete the form.

Our Crowdfunding Video

Who are we and why we were formed?

Isn’t it about time that we ditched a voting system that involves more than 40 million trudging down to the local polling centre to write a cross on a piece of paper using a pencil attached to a string?
The right to vote is part of our democratic freedom but when you consider that the 2017 local elections in the UK had a depressingly poor voter turnout of 36% then perhaps the issue is not the candidates but the fact that our antiquated voting system needs a rethink.  This is especially relevant with younger voters who in the last general election had a turnout of 44% compared to older generations which were more than 65%.  While it says a lot about voter apathy, it also speaks volumes about how we need to be driven by technological change.

The fact that we can now do so many things on our phones and through the worldwide web, then something as simple as voting could be added via a phone app or online.  It would be straightforward and easy and would at the very least guarantee a higher voter turnout especially among the disenfranchised, technologically driven younger voters.  Electronic voting has recently been proven in Australia with more than 250k votes cast in the New South Wales Election & 104k in Estonia (where the turnout increased from 47% to 61% - as a consequence), through the iVote Electronic Voting System which uses both an online system and phone technology.

Of course, sceptics would say that electoral integrity is paramount and that a system would need to be set up that is bulletproof and secure without the risk of corruption or fraud from hackers.   These are barriers that can be overcome with an IT system with a multi-layer security system that can prevent any potential fraud and ensure voter integrity.  And in the event of power or equipment failures then parallel systems in different locations can provide the electronic system can continue without interruption.

Technology moves at an exponential pace so it would seem foolhardy to ignore a shift to a more voter friendly and accessible electronic system in the delivery of elections.  Voter apathy, especially amongst younger voters and technological difficulties for the old will become a thing of the past.
Consequently, we support the draft recommendation of the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee on Voter Engagement in the UK, urging for the introduction of online voting by 2020. We agree that this would make voting significantly more accessible. However, we also agree that concerns about electoral fraud and secrecy of the ballot would need to be addressed first.

Open Democracy Online Limited (ODO) is a Social Enterprise that will develop a scalable cloud voting and interactive debating platform which can be used by both small vendors, large corporations and national governments.  Our first software product – ‘The People’s Parliament’, will test the scalability of the platform and allow all eligible citizens of the UK (30 million) the ability to raise, debate and vote on current and future government policies and legislation - as identified by the Government’s Political and Constitutional Reform Committee, which seeks to enable all internet connected UK citizens to have the ability to voice their opinions.

Consequently, ODO actively supports and will tender to facilitate the draft recommendation of the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee on Voter Engagement in the UK, which has urged for the introduction of online voting by 2020, allowing greater voting accessible. However, we also agree the committee’s concerns about electoral fraud and secrecy of the ballot would need to implement within such as system and consequently, we will use existing know proven banking tokens and algorithms, such as finger print technology to minimise this risk.

ODO will look to raise the capital necessary for this project over three phases of fundraising. The initial phase will raise £250k to set-up a UK office with staff which will develop the cloud platform, market the Smartphone app and the websites required for a fully integrated and secure service. This will initially be achieved from crowdfunding allowing new supporters of this democratic process the benefits of either Reward/Donation, Equity-based or Royalty crowdfunding.

To encourage sponsorship and alleviate the perceived problem of trustworthiness and political bias, ODO will endeavour to incorporate relationships with established higher educational institutions to become trustees on the board of governance, which will enhance both parties through trust and cooperation in extending the educational role of the company by participating in high visibility joint projects with students and lecturers.

ODO is delighted to have been offered facilities at the University of Chichester’s Business School at Bognor Regis for the next four years, and we wish to enhance this association by providing students both internships, mentoring and paid part-time opportunities to help achieve the Governments Digital Democracy Commission’s Aim & Objectives.