The January 1946 United Nations Security Council election was the inaugural election for the non‑permanent seats of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). It was convened by the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York City shortly after the organization’s formal establishment in October 1945.
Context and purpose
- The United Nations Charter, which entered into force on 24 October 1945, created a Security Council composed of five permanent members (the Republic of China, France, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and a set of non‑permanent members elected by the General Assembly.
- The non‑permanent seats were to be filled for two‑year terms, with a staggered rotation so that a portion of the seats would be contested each year.
- The January 1946 election was therefore held to appoint the first cohort of non‑permanent members, establishing the operational composition of the Council.
Election procedure
- The election was conducted by secret ballot during a plenary session of the General Assembly.
- Member states voted for candidates nominated by regional groups, in accordance with the informal distribution of seats established by the United Nations.
- A two‑thirds majority of those present and voting was required for a candidate to be elected.
Outcome
- The election resulted in the selection of the first non‑permanent members, who began their terms on 17 February 1946, the date stipulated by the Charter for the commencement of the Council’s work.
- The elected states served two‑year terms ending in February 1948, after which subsequent elections were held to refresh half of the non‑permanent membership.
Significance
- This election marked the activation of the Security Council’s full composition, enabling it to undertake its primary responsibilities for the maintenance of international peace and security.
- The establishment of a regular electoral cycle for non‑permanent seats created a mechanism for broader geographic representation within the Council, a practice that has continued throughout the United Nations’ history.
References
- United Nations Charter, Article 23.
- United Nations General Assembly records, 1st session (January 1946).
- United Nations Security Council, “History of the Security Council” (official UN website).
