Michael Frendo's performance as chairman of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) on the Pakistani crisis has won him heaps of praise among leaders attending the Commonwealth summit in Uganda but he still insists the race for the post of Secretary General of the Commonwealth was too close to call.

Thursday's suspension of Pakistan from the Commonwealth by the CMAG was the subject of a presentation Dr Frendo gave heads of government at the CHOGM's first executive session yesterday.

Government officials from different countries who spoke to The Times informally said his performance has scored him points among delegates as an "action man". The presentation was followed by a lively 40-minute debate in which only Sri Lanka was slightly hesitant about the decision over Pakistan.

Yet, matters are not as straightforward. While Dr Frendo has been widely deemed to be the most qualified and experienced of the candidates from the start, the candidacy of his main contender, India'a former High Commissioner to London Kamalesh Sharma, carries the weight of one of the world's fastest growing economies, leading some commentators to describe the race as being between "a candidate and a country".

The third contender, Mohan Kaul, also Indian, is thought to pose little threat to both contestants as his bid, unlike that of his compatriot, is not backed by his government.

Commenting just after the executive session, Dr Frendo said: "There is a very intensive fight, one which the Commonwealth has probably never seen so far for the post of its Secretary General". He dismissed reports in the Indian press, which put Mr Sharma as the clear winner, as overconfident but cautioned: "We stand a good chance but it's an election, like any other. It's hard to tell."

The Pakistani issue, and the fact that it coincided with the election, was without doubt providential, not least because of the exposure. However, there is also a more serious dimension. Pakistan's suspension, in fact, is only intended as a first step in a series of diplomatic efforts that would see the country return to the Commonwealth fold with its democratic credentials restored.

"Hardly the job for an Indian", one government official commented to The Times, pointing to the long-standing rift between the two countries. "Had an Indian been Secretary General yesterday (Thursday) he would have been in a very awkward position."

Officially, however, most countries are wary of committing themselves. "It would not be a secret if we go around discussing the vote, now would it," Namibia's Foreign Affairs Minister Marco Hausiko said when asked for his country's stand. He was actually standing in for his Prime Minister, who preferred not to answer the question.

"We always look for experience and competence," he said right after describing Dr Frendo as being both. However, when asked whether a prospective Indian Commonwealth Secretary General could be expected to deal adequately with Pakistan, Mr Hausiku diplomatically pointed out that the post of Secretary General is about "the mandate you are given not who you are".

Cyprus particularly and some Caribbean islands are more open about their support. The former Cypriot Foreign Affairs Minister Giorgios Lacovou, now High Commissioner to London, said he has been lobbying hard for Dr Frendo. Cyprus is the only country to take sides officially from the start, in fact.

"Besides believing in Dr Frendo, it could hardly have been otherwise for us," he said. "Our countries share so much... we work together in the EU and outside. For us it was an obvious choice to back Dr Frendo." Like the Foreign Minister his forecast is that "it's too early and too close to call".

The result should be known early this afternoon local time but nothing has been set as the election itself has very informal rules. Outgoing Secretary General Don McKinnon yesterday sounded out member states individually to gauge if there is a candidate who stands out, and he will continue doing so today. If a particular candidate enjoys the support of a large majority of member states the other candidates usually step out of the race without a vote.

If the election is neck and neck, as it is likely to be, a vote will be called, which Malta is insisting should be secret. Jokingly, Mr McKinnon likened the process to the conclaves the Vatican holds to elect the Pope. "There just isn't the white smoke but it's pretty much the same. It's a matter of coming to a consensus," he told The Times.