NRO NC election 2026 opens for APNIC members and attendees

The Number Resource Organization Number Council (NRO NC) election for the Asia-Pacific region has entered its voting phase. APNIC, the regional internet registry, has launched an online ballot for its members and eligible attendees of the APNIC 62 conference, marking the first time the entire process is conducted electronically without paper ballots.

How voting works

Voting is split into two distinct tracks. APNIC members—defined as organizations holding IP address resources—can vote through the MyAPNIC portal using multifactor authentication. Each member organization is entitled to one vote, which can be cast by its designated Corporate Contact or any contact with voting rights. The member voting window opened at 14:00 UTC+10 on 27 August 2026 and will close at 14:30 UTC+5:30 on 10 September 2026.

Conference attendees at APNIC 62 may also participate if they meet two criteria: they must have registered and checked in by 10:00 UTC+5:30 on 10 September 2026, and they must have attended at least one of the eight preceding APRICOT or APNIC standalone conferences (APNIC 54 through 61). Online voting for eligible attendees opens at 09:30 UTC+5:30 and closes at 14:30 UTC+5:30 on the same day. APNIC will verify each attendee’s eligibility against official records before counting their vote.

Both tracks use the BigPulse platform, accessed via a direct link on the MyAPNIC dashboard. Candidate profiles and additional election details are available on the APNIC 62 website.

Why the election matters

The NRO NC serves as the Address Supporting Organization Address Council (ASO AC) within ICANN, advising on global IP address policy and selecting two members to ICANN’s Board of Directors. The Asia-Pacific region’s representative is elected by APNIC members and conference participants, giving the region a direct voice in internet governance decisions that affect address allocation and policy development.

This year’s shift to a fully electronic process reflects broader industry trends toward digital governance and remote participation. The change also aligns with APNIC’s efforts to streamline administrative procedures while maintaining transparency and security through multifactor authentication and record verification.

What to watch

The election closes on 10 September 2026, with results expected shortly afterward. Industry observers will be watching for any technical issues during the voting period, particularly given the reliance on a third-party platform (BigPulse) and the dual eligibility tracks. The outcome will determine the Asia-Pacific region’s representation on the NRO NC for the next term, influencing policy discussions on IP address management and internet governance at both regional and global levels.

APNIC has urged voters to contact its Helpdesk with any questions about eligibility or the voting process. The organization has also reminded participants that a Code of Conduct applies to all election-related activities.