A/66/PV.54 General Assembly

The result of the voting is as follows: Number of ballot papers: 193 Number of invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 193 Abstentions: 0 Number of members voting: 193 Required absolute majority: 97 Number of votes obtained: Ms. Julia Sebutinde (Uganda) 95 Mr. Abdul G. Koroma (Sierra Leone) 72 Ms. Tsvetana Kamenova (Bulgaria) 19 El Hadji Mansour Tall (Senegal) 7 Since no candidate has obtained an absolute majority in the previous round of balloting, the Assembly will proceed to another unrestricted ballot to fill the remaining vacancy. I should like to remind representatives that, pursuant to rule 88 of the rules of procedure, “After the President has announced the beginning of voting, no representative shall interrupt the voting except on a point of order in connection with the actual conduct of the voting.” Any announcements, including those concerning withdrawals of candidatures, should therefore be made prior to the commencement of the voting process, that is to say, before the announcement of the beginning of the voting process.

On behalf of the delegation of Bulgaria, I would like to announce that our nominated candidate, Ms. Tsvetana Kamenova, withdraws her candidature for the position. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate all those who have been elected and to wish them every success in their future endeavours. I also wish every success to those who remain in the election process.

I would like to thank my Bulgarian colleague for his spirit of cooperation. We are great friends. I would like to take this opportunity to say that the delegation of Senegal, having consulted with candidate Mr. El Hadji Mansour Tall, would like to withdraw his candidature. I also take this opportunity to thank all the countries who voted for Mr. Tall. We also congratulate those who have already been elected, and wish good luck to the remaining candidates.

Given the statements that we have just heard, may I take it that the national groups that have nominated the candidates of Bulgaria and Senegal concur with their withdrawal?

They are therefore no longer candidates and their names have therefore been deleted from the ballot papers. We shall now begin the voting process. Ballot papers will now be distributed. All the candidates whose names appear on the ballot paper are eligible. The names of the two candidates who have withdrawn their candidatures have been deleted from the ballots. May I remind delegations that the name of only one candidate should be marked with a cross. Any ballot paper on which more than one name is marked will be considered invalid. Votes may be cast only for those whose names appear on the ballot papers.

The result of the voting is as follows: Number of ballot papers: 193 Number of invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 193 Abstentions: 0 Number of members voting: 193 Required absolute majority: 97 Number of votes obtained: Ms. Julia Sebutinde (Uganda) 110 Mr. Abdul G. Koroma (Sierra Leone) 83 Ms. Julia Sebutinde has obtained an absolute majority in the General Assembly. I have communicated the result of the voting to the President of the Security Council. I have also received a letter from the President of the Security Council, which reads: “I have the honour to inform you that at the 6652nd meeting of the Security Council, held on 10 November 2011, for the purpose of electing five members of the International Court of Justice for a term of office beginning on 6 February 2012, Mr. Abdul G. Koroma obtained an absolute majority of votes.” As a result of the voting that has taken place independently in the General Assembly and the Security Council, no candidate has obtained an absolute majority in both bodies. The Assembly will therefore proceed to a third meeting to fill the remaining vacancy. However, in view of the lateness of the hour, that meeting will take place this afternoon at 3 p.m.