India received 188 votes in the Asia-Pacific category. (Source: Twitter/AkbaruddinIndia) India received 188 votes in the Asia-Pacific category. (Source: Twitter/AkbaruddinIndia)

India was elected to the United Nations’ top human rights body on Friday, for a period of three years beginning January 1, 2019. India received 188 votes in the Asia-Pacific category.

The elections for selecting new members to UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) were held at the United Nations in which the 193-members of the UN General Assembly took part. A total of 18 new members were elected by the absolute majority through a secret ballot, PTI reported.

Voting for a Happy Outcome. Thanks to the support of all our friends @UN , India wins seat to Human Rights Council with highest votes among all candidates.🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/zhpJAZEs7C — Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbaruddinIndia) October 12, 2018

A minimum of 97 votes were needed by a country to get elected to the Council.

India was vying for a seat in the Asia Pacific category. Along with India, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Fiji and Philippines had also staked a claim in the same regional group.

India’s election to the Council was all but certain as there were only five nations vying for the five seats in the Asia Pacific category.

(With PTI inputs)

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