ICJ election to be held on Friday

The election to fill the casual vacancy for Asia for the post of Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is to be held on April 27.

The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.

India's nominee is Justice Dalveer Bhandari of the Supreme Court and the Philippines has nominated Justice Florentino Feliciano. A keen contest is expected in the election to fill the casual vacancy following the resignation of Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh from Jordan in October 2011.

The government of India has been canvassing support for Justice Bhandari, who also visited various countries. Sources told The Hindu that considering his age – 64 — and credentials as against the Philippines nominee, who is 84, the chances of Justice Bhandari getting elected are very bright.

The election is scheduled to be held in New York. As per Article 8 of the ICJ statute “the General Assembly and the Security Council shall proceed independently of one another to elect a judge of the ICJ.”

The candidate who gets absolute majority in both the General Assembly (97 votes) and the Security Council (8) votes) will be declared elected.

If none gets a majority in the first round, subsequent rounds of voting will be held to determine the winner.

Results

The results are expected to be announced the same day or subsequently depending on the number of rounds.

The person elected is appointed for six years and he is eligible for re-election for a second term of nine years.