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2025 GAC Vice-Chairs Election
The annual GAC leadership election cycle will conclude during the ICANN84 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Dublin, Ireland, in October 2025. The annual election cycle begins with the opening of a nomination period at the end of the ICANN83 Policy Forum.
This year’s leadership elections are open for the five GAC Vice-Chair positions. Per completion of the amendments to the GAC Operating Principles that were finalized during ICANN83, the GAC Vice-Chairs selected in this election will each serve terms beginning in March 2026 and ending in October 2027.
Nomination Period
The nomination period will begin on 13 June 2025 and close at 23:59 UTC on 10 September 2025 (OP#33).
More than five nominations for GAC Vice-Chairs will activate a balloting period.
This web page provides detailed information about the nomination process and will be updated as events warrant.
- Nominations should be made by email to gac-staff@icann.org with a copy to the GAC list
- Nominations (including self-nominations) are possible for all five positions
- Staff will send an email confirmation to the nominator that the nomination has been recorded
- If third-party nomination, staff will also verify that the nominee is willing to stand for election
- GAC website election page will track all nominations
Click here for the list of voters
Balloting Period
If needed,a balloting period will start on 03 October 2025 and conclude at 23:59 UTC on Sunday, 26 October 2025.
Election
There will be no physical voting available for this election. All votes will be cast electronically, which allows for vote-casting at a date and time that suits the individual voters, between the opening and closing dates of the election.
After the election has closed, the GAC Support team will review and confirm the voting results and announce the result of the election under the supervision of the GAC Chair (Principle 34).
The staff review process will include checking to ensure that all votes are cast by eligible GAC representatives. Election results shall be determined by simple majority.
For the election of Vice Chairs, the five (5) candidates who gather the most votes will be appointed as Vice Chairs.
Tied Ballots
In the case of a tied election (two candidates receive the same number of votes) that prevents a selection to be determined, a second balloting period shall be held. The second ballot shall be restricted to the candidates who are subject to the tied vote for the remaining position.
Eligibility to Vote
Only GAC Representatives or their assignees are eligible to vote (Principle 16). GAC Representatives, Alternate Representatives, and Advisors are listed on the GAC website at: https://gac.icann.org/about/members
GAC Observers are NOT eligible to vote (Principle 16). GAC Observers are listed on the GAC website at: https://gac.icann.org/about/members.
Any questions about the voting process should be directed to GAC Support team at: gac-staff@icann.org.
Votes placed by any person whose name is not listed on the GAC website will be deemed invalid – although the electronic voting system should prevent this from happening as the system used for the electronic voting will be populated only with the email addresses of the Representatives for each GAC Member.
The system then sends invites for election participation to only those emails.
Confirmed Designated Voters
GAC Members have until 02 October at 23:59 UTC to ensure their eligible voter details are correct for purposes of the election. Any revisions or corrections to the list should be sent in an email to gac-staff@icann.org.
Some Representatives may opt to defer to another delegation member to fulfill the voting role. This intention must be expressed by the Representative by the same deadline as above to gac-staff@icann.org.
The individual representative email address listed on the GAC website will be used unless a notification of another email address for this purpose is received by the same deadline as above.
List of GAC Vice-Chair Nominee(s)
| Person Nominated | Nominator | Date of Nomination |
| Marco Hogewoning (Netherlands) | Rudy Nolde (Germany) | 17 June 2025 |
| Jorge Cancio (Switzerland) | Paul Blaker (United Kingdom) | 18 June 2025 |
| Zeina Bou Harb (Lebanon) | Manal Ismail (Egypt) | 18 June 2025 |
| Gloria Katuuku (Uganda) | Francis Olivier Cubahiro (Burundi) | 18 June 2025 |
| Ian Sheldon (Australia) | Russell Woruba (Papua New Guinea) | 21 June 2025 |
| Aderonke Adeniyi Sola-Ogunsola (Nigeria) | Folake Olagunju Oyelola (ECOWAS) |
27 June 2025 candidacy withdrawn by candidate |
