Message to the Community
We appreciate the thoughtful feedback, questions, and challenges shared by the KARRATco community over the past several weeks regarding the Security Council election process. This has been a healthy and necessary conversation, and it’s clear that the community is deeply invested in building a fair, transparent, and scalable system for governance.
We have listened carefully and in response to the feedback from the community around delays, process clarity, and the desire for real progress on Security Council elections, we’re proposing a clear and actionable two-part solution:
- The first Security Council election will be held off-chain on Snapshot as a one-time exception to move the process forward immediately.
- All future elections will be conducted on-chain via WinVote with development beginning now and the first on-chain election occurring one year from the start of the off-chain election.
This revised KIP was created directly in response to the concerns raised by the community and reflects what we believe is the most balanced and forward-looking path to unblock the election process and secure long-term governance alignment.
What This Proposal Does
This KIP is a direct response to community expressed concerns. It:
- Moves forward with the election immediately using Snapshot with clear procedures, requirements, and KYC
- Approves WinVote.io as the long-term on-chain election platform
- Commits to holding the first on-chain election on the one-year anniversary of the start of the off-chain election process
- Introduces a two-phase election structure designed to mirror the existing KIP governance flow for consistency and ease of participation
Why It Matters
- It allows us to take action now, with a process the community can participate in immediately
- It ensures future elections happen on-chain, on infrastructure the DAO owns and controls
- It reflects a structured and constitutional solution not a shortcut
We’re grateful for the engagement and passion this community has shown. We hope this proposal reflects that we’re listening and that we’re moving together toward a stronger and more transparent governance future.
Please review the revised KIP regarding Security Council Elections for the KARRATco:
KIP Type: Constitutional KIP
Abstract
This proposal recommends a two-part governance solution that addresses both the immediate community desire for a timely Security Council election and the long-term requirement for a dedicated, on-chain election platform.
Part 1:
Authorize the use of the KARRATco Snapshot page to conduct the first Security Council election off-chain, as a one-time exception to the constitutional on-chain requirement. This off-chain election will follow the same two-phase structure and procedures outlined for future on-chain elections.
Part 2:
Formally approve WinVote.io as the official long-term on-chain platform for all future Security Council elections. Development will begin immediately, and the first on-chain election will occur on the one-year anniversary of the start date of the off-chain Snapshot-based election.
This dual-path solution responds to community feedback, delivers a timely election, and ensures long-term alignment with KARRATco governance infrastructure.
Motivation
The KARRATco Constitution outlines the following in Section 3 – Security Council Elections:
“The first Security Council election is scheduled to begin on April 15, 2025. The election can only begin upon the availability of an on-chain election process that is approved and installed by the KARRATco.”
As of this proposal, no on-chain election process of platform has been formally approved. That constitutional requirement prevents the election from proceeding — despite the original schedule. While the delay is understandably frustrating, this proposal exists to break the current bottleneck by both approving a platform (WinVote) and offering a temporary but legitimate path (Snapshot) to move the election forward.
It also recognizes:
- The need to move quickly with the first election
- The importance of long-term governance infrastructure
- The shared development requirements regardless of platform, including smart contract development, Snapshot/backend integration, and security auditing
Rationale
This two-part approach delivers a balanced solution:
- Speed: Snapshot provides a fast-track method for conducting the first Security Council election.
- Stability: WinVote will serve as the permanent platform, ensuring consistency across all on-chain governance processes.
- Simplicity: The same two-phase election structure will apply to both Snapshot and WinVote processes, ensuring community familiarity and alignment with the Governor contract structure.
This approach ensures the election proceeds with urgency while upholding the long-term structure and integrity of KARRATco governance.
Voting Process Overview
This proposal introduces two distinct but connected voting processes: one for the first off-chain election on Snapshot, and one for all future elections conducted on-chain via WinVote.
1. Off-Chain Snapshot Voting Process (First Election Only)
The following process will be used to carry out the first Security Council election via the KARRATco Snapshot page:
- Step 1: KIP Approval
This proposal — the one being submitted — must be passed by the KARRATco. Upon approval, the Snapshot-based election process will begin. - Step 2: Collection of Potential Contenders
The Karrat Foundation will post a call for nominations on the KARRATco Forum (Discourse), open for 7 days.
To become a contender:- A member must post a formal declaration of interest
- They must list a wallet address that belongs to them and exclusively holds at least 100,000 KARRAT
- Ownership and balance will be verified during the process
- Step 3: Snapshot Vote to Advance to Candidacy
A formal Snapshot vote will be posted and open for 7 days.- The top 6 vote-getters will move forward to Step 5, pending KYC verification by the Karrat Foundation.
- Step 4: KYC Verification
The top 6 vote-getters must complete KYC through the Karrat Foundation.- If a contender fails KYC, the next highest vote recipient will take their place.
- Step 5 will not begin until 6 verified candidates are confirmed.
- Step 5: Final Snapshot Vote
A second Snapshot vote will be posted and remain open for 7 days.- The top 3 candidates, receiving the most votes, will be elected.
- If fewer than three candidates get votes, sitting Council members will remain in place until the next election at the Karrat Foundation’s discretion.
- Step 6: Installation
After a 7-day timelock period, the newly elected Security Council members will be installed via the on-chain governance contracts.
Note: This Snapshot-based election process is a one-time exception and applies only to the first Security Council election.
2. On-Chain Voting Process via WinVote (All Future Elections)
Collection of Potential Contenders
A post on Discourse/Forum (forum.karratcoin.com) will be submitted by the Karrat Foundation, calling for all members who are interested in becoming a Security Council member. This Discourse post will be actively monitored for 1 week. To be a Potential Contender, you must engage with the discourse post, state your interest to be a Security Council member and list your wallet address containing at least 100,000 KARRAT. It will be verified during the process that you own these tokens.
Phase 1: Contender Submission
This phase opens the floor to any KARRATco member who wishes to be considered for the Security Council.
- Temperature Check (1 week): Community discussion on Snapshot regarding potential contenders
- Formal Call for Voting / Pending Period (3 days): Governance-required delay before the vote becomes active
- KARRATco Voting (14 days): Members vote on contenders. The top 6 contenders who receive the most votes move forward to Phase 2 as Candidates, pending a KYC check done by the Karrat Foundation
- Timelock (7 days): Standard governance delay
- Implementation: Official recognition of Candidates
KYC Check
Prior to Phase 2 beginning, a KYC of the 6 contenders will be performed by the Karrat Foundation. If a contender does not pass KYC to become a candidate, the contender with the next most votes will take their place in Phase 2. Phase 2 will not begin until all KYC is processed and passed by 6 candidates.
Phase 2: Voting for Candidate Selection
This phase determines the final three Security Council members.
- Temperature Check (1 week): Snapshot discussion focused on Candidates
- Formal Call for Voting / Pending Period (3 days): Pre-vote delay
KARRATco Voting (14 days): Members vote. The top three candidates who have received at least 0.2% of all Votable Tokens are elected to the Security Council- In the event that the candidates do not receive at least 0.2% of all Votable Tokens, sitting Security Council members will stay in place until the next election takes place
- If only 1 or 2 members receive the appropriate number of votes, the Foundation will make the determination on which sitting Security Council members will be retained until the next election
- Timelock (7 days): Standard delay
- Implementation: On-chain installation of newly elected Council members
This structure prioritizes clarity, compatibility, and ease of execution—making the election process more accessible to the community while fully utilizing the tools and governance logic already in place.
Specifications and Timelines
To enable Security Council elections within WinVote.io, the following components must be developed. Estimated delivery time is up to 6 months.
1. Smart Contract Development (2 months)
- Build modular, auditable election logic
- Include vote thresholds and candidate progression logic
2. Front-End Integration (1 month)
- Develop user interfaces for contender entry, voting, and status visibility
3. Backend & Snapshot Integration (1 month)
- Manage temperature checks and secure data flow
- Admin tools for moderation and validation
4. Security Auditing (1–2 months)
- Third-party audits of contract logic
- Fixes and re-verification
5. Simulation & Testing (2–4 weeks)
- Run testnet simulations
- Validate contingency scenarios and election outcomes
Overall Cost
All development, integration, and auditing costs for WinVote will be covered by the Karrat Foundation Treasury. No funds will be requested from the KARRATco Treasury.