Uganda’s former diplomat Olara Otunnu has entered the race to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, a contest influenced by a voting method he helped establish over 40 years ago.

In 1981, while serving as Uganda’s permanent representative to the UN and Security Council President, a 31-year-old Otunnu proposed the use of informal straw polls. This system allowed Security Council members to signal support or opposition to candidates discreetly, helping to resolve deadlocks. That year, Peru’s Javier Pérez de Cuéllar emerged as a compromise candidate after the straw polls effectively sidelined other contenders.

On Wednesday, the UN Security Council is set to conduct straw polls again to assess the standing of seven candidates vying to replace Antonio Guterres as the organisation’s 10th Secretary-General. Otunnu is among these candidates, alongside Michelle Bachelet (Chile), María Fernanda Espinosa (Ecuador), Rafael Grossi (Argentina), Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica), Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett (Guyana), and Macky Sall (Senegal).

Unlike his rivals, Otunnu has not yet participated in the public hearings before the UN General Assembly, which have featured town halls and global campaigning. Some analysts argue the next Secretary-General should come from Latin America and the Caribbean, preferably a woman, although no formal rule enforces this regional rotation.

Historical Context of the Straw Poll System

Before the introduction of straw polls, the 1981 selection process was deadlocked between incumbent Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim of Austria and Tanzania’s Salim Ahmed, supported by African nations. Otunnu’s innovation allowed members to cast informal votes to discourage weaker candidates without formal vetoes, a practice that has since become integral to UN Secretary-General elections.

Security Council Reports reveal that during the 1981 race, China opposed Waldheim multiple times, the US frequently opposed Salim Ahmed, and the Soviet Union once opposed Iranian candidate Sadruddin Aga Khan. These informal votes, though confidential, were often leaked to the public to influence perceptions.

Current Election Dynamics

The UN General Assembly traditionally appoints the Secretary-General upon the Security Council’s recommendation. There is ongoing discussion about whether Otunnu might bypass the usual public hearing schedule or engage with the General Assembly later in the process. Early endorsement by the Security Council, however, remains critical.

Straw polls differentiate votes by permanent versus non-permanent Security Council members, with some members also able to abstain. The system offers flexibility, allowing permanent members to express opposition discreetly, which may be less politically costly than a formal veto.

Otunnu’s career includes serving as UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict from 1998 to 2005, underscoring his longstanding involvement in the UN system.