Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– Bangladesh was elected a council member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on Tuesday for a four-year term by a big margin of votes. 
ITU is the apex body of global telecommunication sector and a UN agency which regulates information and communication technology. 
Bangladesh bagged 123 votes and achieved the 6th position among the 13 seats reserved for Asia-Australia region in the election held in Mexico. 
A total of 161 member countries out of the 192-member ITU voted for electing the council members. 
Seventeen countries contested for 13 seats of the Asia-Australia region, an official announcement said. 
Votes bagged by other elected countries: Indonesia – 135, China – 134, Japan – 133, Malaysia – 127, Korea Republic – 125, Thailand – 121, Australia – 119, United Arab Emirates – 114, Kwuiat – 108, Saudi Arabia – 105 and Philippines – 97 votes. 
The four other contestants in the election – Pakistan – 93, Sri Lanka – 79, Lebanon – 75 and Syria – 63 votes could not qualify for the membership.
BBN/SSR/AD-12Oct10-6:45 pm (BST)