UN Security Council Seat Still Up for Grabs

After 22 rounds of voting, the rotating seat of the UN Security Council is still up for grabs. 12 more rounds of voting were held today in the race between Guatemala and Venezuela and still neither country managed to garner the required 124 votes. Throughout the balloting, Guatemala has maintained a decided advantage, averaging about 30 votes more than Venezuela. In the 22nd and final round today, when 120 votes would have been enough for a victory, Guatemala garnered 102 votes and Venezuela 77. Balloting will continue until a state from the region achieves the required majority. There is no limit to the number of rounds of voting and in 1979-80 there were a record 155 ballots before Cuba conceded and allowed a consensus replacement, Mexico to take the seat.