United Nations Security Council election, 2008

Infobox Election
election_name = United Nations Security Council election, 2008
country = United Nations
type = presidential
ongoing = yes
previous_election = United Nations Security Council election, 2007
previous_year = 2007
next_election =
next_year =
seats_for_election = 5 non-permanent (of the 5) seats in the United Nations Security Council
election_date = October 16, 2008
map_

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map_size = 300px
map_caption = Security Council before 2008 elections.The 2008 United Nations Security Council election will begin on 16 October 2008 during the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, held at UN Headquarters in New York City. The elections are for five non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council for two-year mandates commencing on 1 January 2009.

In accordance with the Security Council's rotation rules, whereby the ten non-permanent UNSC seats rotate among the various regional blocs into which UN member states traditionally divide themselves for voting and representation purposes, the five available seats are allocated as follows:

*One for Africa (held by South Africa)
*One for Asia (held by Indonesia)
*Two for the Western European and Others Group (held by Belgium and Italy)
*One for Latin America and the Caribbean (held by Panama)

The five members (elected by a super (2/3) majority of the General Assembly, in as many rounds of voting as it takes to achieve that majority) will serve on the Security Council for the 2009–10 period.

AFRICA

Uganda was selected over Madagascar by the African nations (as it was East Africa's turn to get the seat) and is expected to run unopposed in the election for the single African seat up for grabs. [ [http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/6442636.html Africa endorses Uganda's candidature for Security Council non permanent member seat - People's Daily Online ] ] Nigeria was expected to runopposed for the 2010–11 seat, but now faces competition from Sierra Leone. [ [http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/6441902.html Nigeria, Sierra Leone in deadlock over UN seat - People's Daily Online ] ] Nigeria has already served thrice in the UNSC, while Sierra Leone served only once. [ [http://allafrica.com/stories/200807040887.html allAfrica.com: West Africa: Sierra Leone, Nigeria Battle for UN Seat (Page 1 of 1) ] ]

ASIA

Japan and Iran have each announced their intention of running for the single vacant Asian seat on the Council. [ [http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=19253 CNSNews.com - UN Faces Clash Over Iran's Security Council Bid ] ] Mongolia had previously announced its intention to run, but withdrew in 2007.

WEOG

The closest race is expected to be the election for the two Western European seats. Austria, Iceland and Turkey have all declared their intention to run for one of the two WEOG seats for the 2009-2010 term.

LATIN AMERICAN AND THE CARIBBEAN

Mexico announced they would stand for the Latin American seat, and they are expected to be the only candidate.

ee also

* List of elected members of the United Nations Security Council

References

External links

* [http://www.turkeyforunsc.org/ Official Information Homepage of the Candidature of the Republik of Turkey]
* [http://www.iceland.org/securitycouncil/ Official information homepage of the candidature of Iceland]