UNITED NATIONS, July 25: South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki Moon became the front-runner as the Security Council on Monday set the stage to choose the next secretary general of the United Nations to replace Kofi Annan.

In a secret straw poll representatives of the Security Council’s 15 members voted to indicate their preference among four men running for the top job at the world body.

The process is expected to go on until October and more candidates are expected to throw their hats in the ring.

Mr Ban, 62, won the poll over UN Undersecretary General Shashi Tharoor, 50, of India, according to two Security Council ambassadors.

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, 47, and Jayantha Dhanapala, 67, Sri Lanka’s former ambassador to the US finished far behind, diplomats said.

The Security Council will hold a formal vote within three months to select the nominee, whose name will go before the 192-member General Assembly.

The winner will take office on Jan 1 — the day after Mr Annan’s second five-year term expires.