A government official says the United Nations Security Council will likely hold a preliminary vote next week to elect the next U.N. chief.

The official said Wednesday that four candidates—South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon, Indian nominee Shashi Tharoor, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and former U.N. disarmament chief and Sri Lankan presidential aid Jayantha Dhanapala—had submitted their applications.

A candidate is required to receive at least nine votes from the 15-member council, with no vetoes coming from any permanent members. The candidate will then be referred to the general assembly for approval.

The official, however, said that it is uncertain that the Security Council will hold the vote next week, with many urgent issues at hand such as the volatile situation in the Middle East and Iran’s nuclear program.

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