Election of UNSC Non-Permanent Members

The United Nations General Assembly elects ten non-permanent members of the Security Council to represent the wider UN membership alongside the five permanent members. They serve staggered two-year terms, with five seats normally filled each year.

Charter rules and eligibility

Under Article 23 of the UN Charter, the General Assembly must consider candidates' contribution to international peace and security and other UN purposes, as well as equitable geographical distribution.

• A retiring non-permanent member is not eligible for immediate re-election.
• Each elected member has the same Security Council voting rights as other members, except that it does not possess the veto held by permanent members.

Geographical distribution of seats

Under General Assembly Resolution 1991 A (XVIII), the ten seats are geographically distributed among regional groups to secure broad representation.

• Five seats are allocated to African and Asian States, conventionally divided into three African and two Asia-Pacific seats.
• Two seats each go to Latin American and Caribbean States and Western European and Other States.
• One seat goes to Eastern European States.
• Regional groups usually endorse candidates, but endorsement does not replace election by the General Assembly.

Voting procedure

Election is conducted by secret ballot. Under Article 18 of the Charter, a candidate must obtain a two-thirds majority of members present and voting, even when the number of candidates equals the vacancies.

• Voting continues through additional ballots until every vacant seat is filled by a candidate securing the required majority.
• Because terms are staggered, the General Assembly normally elects five members annually.