۱. The Commission shall consist of ۲۱ members who shall be experts in the field of geology, geophysics or hydrography, elected by States Parties to this Convention from among their nationals, having due regard to the need to ensure equitable geographical representation, who shall serve in their personal capacities.
۲. The initial election shall be held as soon as possible but in any case within ۱۸ months after the date of entry into force of this Convention. At least three months before the date of each election, the Secretary-General of the United Nations shall address a letter to the States Parties, inviting the submission of nominations, after appropriate regional consultations, within three months. The Secretary-General shall prepare a list in alphabetical order of all persons thus nominated and shall submit it to all the States Parties.
۳. Elections of the members of the Commission shall be held at a meeting of States Parties convened by the Secretary-General at United
Nations Headquarters. At that meeting, for which two thirds of the States Parties shall constitute a quorum, the persons elected to the Commission shall be those nominees who obtain a two-thirds majority of the votes of the representatives of States Parties present and voting. Not less than three members shall be elected from each geographical region.
۴. The members of the Commission shall be elected for a term of five years. They shall be eligible for re-election.
۵. The State Party which submitted the nomination of a member of the Commission shall defray the expenses of that member while in performance of Commission duties. The coastal State concerned shall defray the expenses incurred in respect of the advice referred to in article ۳, paragraph ۱(b), of this Annex. The secretariat of the Commission shall be provided by the Secretary-General of the United Nations.