Rafael Grossi remains in contention to become the next secretary-general of the United Nations after a second informal vote by the UN Security Council,.

Both Grossi and Costa Rica’s representative, Rebeca Grynspan, received seven “encouraging” votes, one fewer than Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Guyana’s current representative to the UN, who moved into first place with eight “encouraging” votes in the latest informal poll, according to media reports.

Grynspan had led the first poll, held on July 30, with 10 votes of support, one against and four indicating no opinion, while Rodrigues-Birkett received nine votes in favour, two against and four with no opinion.

Grossi's seven votes of support were unchanged from the first informal poll, but the number of votes against him rose, potentially complicating his path.

The confidential informal ballots are used to gauge the level of support and opposition facing each candidate before the 15-member UN Security Council formally recommends a nominee to the General Assembly.

A successful candidate ultimately needs at least nine votes on the Security Council and must avoid a veto from any of its five permanent members (the United States, China, Russia, France or Britain).

In Friday’s poll, Rodrigues-Birkett received three votes against her and four votes indicating no opinion. Grynspan received four votes against her, while Grossi faced six – a potential problem for the IAEA director-general.

Former Senegalese president Macky Sall received six “encouraging” votes, Uganda’s Olara Otunnu received five, Ecuador’s María Fernanda Espinosa received four and former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet received two.

Ecuador’s Ivonne Baki, the latest candidate to enter the race after being nominated by Tonga, received no “encouraging” votes and eight “discouraging” votes, casting an immediate shadow over her bid.

– TIMES/NA/PERFIL