Bulgaria UNESCO Chief Candidate Set for Final Showdown

Bokova joined Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry U.N. and disarmament department in 1976, becoming the country's foreign minister for a brief period in 1996-1997. Photo by BGNES

Bulgarian UNESCO chief candidate Irina Bokova is set to face off with controversial Egyptian candidate Faruq Hosni later on Tuesday in a final round of voting.

In a secret fourth ballot held late Monday Bokova is reported to have received exactly the same number of votes as Hosni. The vote has been clouded by Hosni making alleged anti-Jewish comments.

The fifth and final vote is Tuesday. If the candidates are still tied then, the winner will be picked in a draw, UNESCO said.

Some Jewish activists have slammed Hosni's candidature over his reportedly anti-Semitic views. The Simon Wiesenthal Center stated that his appointment "would destroy UNESCO for years to come."

Bokova joined Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry U.N. and disarmament department in 1976, becoming the country's foreign minister for a brief period in 1996-1997. She has witnessed Bulgaria's transformation from Eastern Bloc nation to European Union member.

Voting began Thursday with nine candidates. European Union External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner was among those who dropped out. Ecuadorean politician and diplomat Ivonne Baki bowed out just half an hour before Monday's voting.