India has been re-elected to the 53-member United Nations Commission on Human Rights from the Asian group for a three-year term, getting the maximum number of votes [47] in a secret ballot.
Others elected from group in the first round included Saudi Arabia [45 votes], Qatar [44 votes], Bhutan [39 votes] and Nepal [39 votes].
Thailand, which polled 29 votes, was eliminated in the first round itself. But Indonesia and Iran were tied with 33 votes each. That necessitated a second round in which Jakarta [31 votes] defeated Tehran [23 votes].
North Korea, Cambodia and Vietnam, who were also candidates for the Asian seats, withdrew before from the race.
Britain, Italy and the Netherlands won from among Western nations. Portugal was eliminated.
Among those re-elected was Russia from East European States without any opposition. Also elected from the region was Hungary.
Egypt, South Africa, Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Mauritania were elected from the African group without contest.
From Latin America, Cuba, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru were elected with acclamation.
The Economic and Social Council, which coordinates the work of the United Nations' specialised agencies and functional and regional commissions, elects members to the commission.
The regional groups try to reach a consensus on the candidates from their respective regions, but if they are unable to do so, ECOSOC holds the election.
The commission, based in Geneva, has the mandate to promote universal enjoyment of all human rights. But in recent years, human rights groups have sharply criticised the election of members who, they say, have questionable records.
