Nigerian-born Kemi Badenoch is among the top six candidates in the run to replace United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Boris Johnson after the first round of voting.
The United Kingdom Conservative Party announced Badenoch along with finance minister Nadhim Zahawi and former foreign minister Jeremy Hunt eliminated.
Badenoch, who is a lawmaker got 40 votes to enable her chances she is ahead of Tom Tugendhat, who got 37 and Suella Braverman, who got 32.
It is reported that the slate of candidates is diverse, with four contenders from ethnic minorities and four women.
Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak, who left as the finance minister last week to enhance Borris Johnson’s downfall, leads the votes with the support of 88 Conservative members of parliament votes, followed by Penny Mordaunt, on 67, who polling shows is most popular with the party membership that will ultimately decide the race, and foreign secretary Liz Truss on 50 votes.
It is reported that 358 Conservative lawmakers had gathered at corridor at Parliament on Wednesday afternoon to line up and cast their ballots.
Meanwhile, eight candidates had secured the required backing of 20 of their colleagues to make the first ballot.
Hence, another rounds of voting will take place on Thursday and, if needed, next week, until just two candidates remain.
The final two contenders will face a runoff vote by about 180,000 Conservative Party members across the country. The winner is scheduled to be announced on September 5 and will automatically become prime minister, without the need for a national election.
Recall that the candidates are jostling to replace Johnson, who quit as Conservative leader last week amid a party revolt triggered by months of ethics scandals. He will remain in office as a caretaker prime minister until his replacement as party chief is chosen.
