KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 — Malaysia has lost its bid to be elected to the United Nations’ Human Rights Council after a five-year absence from the council, after emerging as the only country to miss out on a seat among 16 countries vying for 15 seats worldwide.

In a notice today, the United Nations announced that 15 countries have been elected to replace outgoing members for the term 2018-2020.

Malaysia, which had put forward its candidature back in January, did not make the cut.

The election is conducted via a secret ballot by member nations.

Malaysia sat on the Human Rights Council consecutively between 2006-2009 and between 2010-2013.

Malaysia was one of six countries which initially vied for the four Asia Pacific vacant seats on the council, though Maldives later withdrew their candidacy.

All the other candidates in the region — Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan and Qatar succeeded in their bid, with Qatar being re-elected.