United Kingdom representative Michael Lodge gained victory at the polls yesterday and will serve as chief administrative officer of the International Seabed Authority for 2017-2020.

Lodge, the current deputy secretary general, beat incumbent Nii Allotey Odunton of Ghana who has been at the helm for the past eight years. His term ends December 31 this year.

The vote was done by secret ballot in the morning session of the Assembly.

“Members who are entitled to vote are only those who presented credentials or notes verbales and have not had their right suspended,” Assembly president Khurshed Alam informed.

“[The election] should be done with a spirit of goodwill, flexibility, and consensus,” he added.

Eighty-four member States plus the EU are in attendance at this 22nd session of the ISA. With the exception of Burkina Faso, Guinea, Honduras and Namibia who were disqualified because their dues are in arrears for two years or more, they all had the right to vote.

When the result was announced, Ghana said that it had withdrawn Odunton’s candidacy, effectively conceding defeat.

“We thank the president for the smooth election process,” head of the delegation Martha Pobee told the Assembly. “We congratulate Mr Lodge and assure him of our full support in the next four years. Ghana is pleased to have served in this position in the person of Nii Allotey … and trust that the Authority will remain united in the interest of the common heritage of mankind.”

Several other countries put their congratulatory comments for Lodge on record, while hailing Odunton for what they said was an invaluable contribution to the 21-year-old Authority. They also commented on the transparency, fairness, and openness of the vote.

“We are pleased at the seamless manner in which the election was conducted,” acting permanent secretary in Jamaica’s foreign ministry Ambassador Sheila Sealy Monteith said.

“We desire to deepen our relationship with the office of the secretary general, particularly in our capacity as host country…and we desire to work with the new secretary general on achieving the goals set for the authority and remain confident that he will continue the high quality given his knowledge and experience of Law of the Sea.

To Odunton, she said: On behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, we thank you and salute you for the distinguished service that you have rendered. Best wishes for every success in your future endeavours.

Uganda, France, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, China, Argentina were among the other countries who commented.

“Words fail me so I will keep this short,” Kenyan head of delegation James Waweru said, suggesting disappointment with the election outcome. “Thank you, you gallant son of Africa! You charted the course and set us on a solid foundation,” he continued, addressing Odunton.

“Congratulations for your graciousness. You can be proud of the work that you have done at the helm of the organistion. You have dedicated your entire life to the Law of the Sea and to ensuring that it remains a common heritage of mankind. Your name is already inscribed in the annals of international law and in in the annals of the common heritage of mankind. Your name will remain engraved in our minds and in our hearts,” chief of the French delegation Jean-Michel Despax said.

Argentina, which spoke on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean group, told Lodge that the regional group will continue to work with him “to solidy the firm foundation” previously set. “ We salute Odunton for the knowledge he has accumulated over so many years and his passion in building up an organisation [such as this]. He has left an indelible mark for all those who would follow him,” Ambassador D Ariel Fernandez said.

The ambassador also asked the outgoing secretary general to continue to work with the Authority “to help us to develop the vision of common heritage”.