In May of each year, elections are held to re-assign one-third of the Council’s membership.  The Council allots membership seats based on the five regional groups in the following designations: 13 states from the African Group, 13 states from the Asian Group, 6 states from the Eastern European Group, 8 states from the Latin American and Caribbean States (GRULAC), and 7 states from the Western European and Others Group (WEOG).
According to new election procedures outlined in UNGA Resolution 60/251, the election process requires members to win an absolute majority of UN General Assembly votes and encourages candidates to make pledges in order to fulfill the Resolution’s guidance to elect countries that “uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights.”

 
In the initial filling of the Council, states were elected to one, two, and three year terms to allow for rotation of membership on an annual basis.  Beginning in 2007, however, member states were elected to three year terms of service on the Council. Under the resolution which created the Council, countries may run for two consecutive terms, which means countries whose terms are up this year may seek re-election to a three-year term. While no country has a perfect human rights record, electing democratic countries with a demonstrated commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights is vital to a strong and effective Council.