The Reminiscences of Zafrulla Khan — Page 221
205 REMINISCENCES OF SIR MUHAMMAD ZAFRULLA KHAN He was supported by the Eastern European states, which was a factor that was likely to stand in the way of the Western states giving him their support as a group. Out of the Afro-Asian group, he got the support of a few Asian countries - India was his principal supporter and canvasser - and, of course, Ceylon, Burma, Cambodia and Laos, and there may have been one or two more, but we doubt it. Outer Mongolia went with the Communist group. He may also have got the votes of two or possibly three of the African states. He had Cuba's support, but I doubt whether he got any other Latin Americans. From the beginning, it had been said that Ambassador Malalasekra would get between 25 and 30 votes, and that estimate proved to be correct. On the ballot, he obtained 27 and I obtained 72 votes; four ballots were declared invalid. I was told later that they were declared invalid because they were marked "Pakistan," and did not have my name. The system of voting is somewhat confusing. For the Presidency, the name of the candidate should be inscribed on the ballot. For the Vice Presidencies, the names of the countries should be inscribed, and for the Chairman of committees, the names of individuals. Some of the newer countries were, perhaps, not familiar with that distinction, and put down the name of the country and not of the candidate. One ballot contained the name of Ambassador Mongi Slim, who was the outgoing President. I am glad to say that my personal relations with Ambassador Malalesekara continued friendly throughout. I took very little part in canvassing for the Presidency. Of course, my colleagues in the mission here did what they thought was necessary, and quite a large number of friends in other delegations also helped. I have no doubt the Ministry in Karachi instructed our Representatives abroad to do the necessary canvassing. I have always been shy and somewhat inhibited in canvassing for myself. I can be a good canvasser for someone else, whether a state or an individual, but it is very difficult for me to make the request, "Will you kindly vote for me?" Question : There was considerable publicity, especially in some of the papers, about the letter Ambassador Malalesekara wrote that got published wrongly in the Canadian papers. Did that have any effect on his candidacy ?