Tanzania, April 19 -- Dar es Salaam. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has elected Anda Filip as its ninth Secretary General, making her the first woman to hold the post in the organisation's 140-year history.

Ms Filip, from Romania, was elected during the 152nd IPU Assembly in Istanbul, Turkiye, securing 229 votes out of 321 cast.

She defeated Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, who received 47 votes, Cecilia Widegren with 29 votes, and Fatou Dieng Thiam with 14 votes.

The Secretary General serves as the chief executive of the IPU, overseeing the Secretariat and reporting to the Governing Council. The office works with the IPU President to implement the organisation's programme.

Ms Filip will succeed Martin Chungong, who was first el...