India wins 184 votes out of 192 and becomes a non-permanent member of the UNSC once again

Who becomes a non- permanent member of the United Nations Security Council?

• The Security Council comprises of 5 Permanent members – The United States of America, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, France, China and the Russian Federation, and 10 non- permanent members elected by the United Nations General Assembly for a period of two years.
• In 1963 as per Resolution 1991 A (XVIII), UNGA provided for a pattern to be followed for the election of the non- permanent members:

1. Five from African and Asian States;
2. One from Eastern European States;
3. Two from Latin American States;
4. Two from Western European and other States.

• The GA elects each year 5 non- permanent members of the UNSC in consonance with Rule – 142 of the Rules of Procedure.
• Rule- 92 of the Rules of Procedure stipulates that the elections be held by a secret ballot. There also exists no nominations.
• A two-third majority is to be required to be elected non- member according to Rule-83 of the Rules of Procedure.

India and its history with the UNSC

• Previously India has been elected as one of the non- permanent members of the UNSC 8 times.
• In the years, 1950-1951, 1967-1968, 1972-1973, 1977-1978, 1984-1985, 1991-1992 and 2011-2012

The Current Election Results

• At 9 A.M. on June 17, 2020 the UNGA conducted Electionsfor the 5 non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council along with the elections for the President of the seventy fifth session of the General Assembly.
• The election was conducted keeping in mind the requirement of social distancing, wearing of masks etc., due to the pandemic.
• India was up against Dijbouti and Kenya for the two vacant spots among the African and Asia – Pacific States.

• Unopposed, India has been elected as a non- permanent member of the UNSC for 2021-22 along with Ireland, Mexico and Norway.
• India received overwhelming support and the member states confidence. The winning of the election can be considered to eb a testament to the government’sinitiatives and leadership, especially during the current COVID-19 Crisis. Further, India’s contribution to peace and multilateralism has also contributed to earning support of the other member states.

Sources:

1. https://www.un.org/en/ga/62/plenary/election_sc/bkg.shtml
2. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-un-elections/mexico-india-ireland-norway-elected-to-un-security-council-one-seat-still-open-idUSKBN23O3FZ
3. https://twitter.com/IndiaUNNewYork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1273346981650456576&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpublish.twitter.com%2F%3Fquery%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Ftwitter.com%252FIndiaUNNewYork%252Fstatus%252F1273346981650456576%26widget%3DTweet