The election of Deputy Director General at the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is underway on Friday (Jun 21).

Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque is vying for the post and if elected he will serve there for four years.

The election started at 2pm Bangladesh time when 173 members will elect the second man of the UN body which looks after the global governance of migration, a subject very important for Bangladesh.

The winner must get two-third of the vote cast and sometimes voting continues for five to 10 rounds to get a winner.

In a tweet on Jun 16, the foreign secretary said, “I am often asked about my most rewarding experience as a migration enthusiast. The answer has always been simple but NOT the task – it’s never been about a specific day of my life but the ability to constantly serve for dignity and rights of migrants.”

In a column published in Project Syndicate on Thursday (Jun 20), he proposed to establish a new migration framework to ensure right and dignity of migrants.

Four other aspirants are also vying for the post and those are from Sudan, Afghanistan, the Philippines and Jordan.

A popular face in the migration world, Shahidul used to be in the IOM and worked there for 11 years at senior level posts on lien. He left the organization in 2012 and became the foreign secretary in 2013.

The secretary went to retirement on Dec 31 last year but got an extension for a year. He also elevated to senior secretary post last year.