User:Sir Sputnik/United Nations Security Council Elections

Elections to the United Nations Security Council are held in the United Nations General Assembly on an annual basis to select non-permanent members of the Council. Currently, the elections are governed by articles 18 and 23 of the United Nations Charter, General Assembly resolution 1991 A (XVIII) , and the General Assembly's rules of procedure. Since 1965, the Security Council has consisted of fifteen states: five permanent members, and ten non-permanent members, five of which are elected each year for two year terms. . To be elected, a state must win a two-thirds majority of states present and voting.

Geographic distribution of seats
Article 23 of the UN Charter specifies that in electing non-permanent members due regard should be given to equitable geographic distribution. Resolution 1991 formally regulates this distribution, assigning seats to the United Nations Regional Groups as follows :
 * Five states from the Asia-Pacific and African Groups, three of which are elected in odd numbered years, two in even numbered years
 * Two states from the Latin American and Caribbean Group; one elected every year
 * Two states from the Western European and Others Group; both are elected in even numbered years
 * One state from the Eastern European Group, elected in odd numbered years

In addition there are two unofficial rules regarding the geographic distribution of seats. First, the five Asia-Pacific and African seats are split three for Africa, two for Asia, with two on Asian state being elected every year, and two African states in odd numbered years. Second, one of the three seat allocated to Africa and Asia in odd numbered years goes to an Arab State alternating between Africa and Asia; this is known as the Arab Swing Seat.

Voting procedures
The election is held during a plenary meeting of the General Assembly, and has its own item on the Assembly's agenda. There are no nominations. On unrestricted ballots a state is free to vote for any state, including itself, other than those state serving on the Council at the time of the election, since retiring states are not eligible for immediate reelection.