UNITED NATIONS, Sept 14: South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki Moon continued to maintain a formidable lead in the contest for the next secretary-general of the United Nations in the 15-member UN Security Council’s straw poll held on Thursday morning.

Of the 15 votes, Mr Moon got 14 ‘yes’ votes and one ‘no’ vote leading the UN official Shashi Tharoor of India who got 10 ‘yes’ votes, three ‘no’ votes and two abstentions.

The council members, in their second secret ballot, checked one of three boxes next to each of the four announced candidates: ‘encourage’, ‘discourage’, and ‘no opinion’.

But the ballots did not distinguish between the five permanent council members with veto power and the other 10 non-permanent members, which would determine whether a candidate had a chance.

This may occur in another poll, tentatively set for September 28.

In the third place was Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, who received nine votes in favour, three discouragement’s and three no opinions.

He was followed by Jordan’s ambassador to the United Nations, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al-Hussein, a new entry to the race, who received six encouragements, four discouragements and five no opinions.