Clifford Chance's (CC) senior partner election is moving to a second stage of voting after no clear winner emerged in the round which closed yesterday (25 October).

None of the three partners in the running – London finance partner Malcolm Sweeting, German M&A and corporate finance partner Daniela Weber-Rey and City tax partner Jonathan Elman – secured enough of a majority in yesterday's vote to replace outgoing senior partner Stuart Popham.

In order to win the election, candidates need to secure at least 50% of the vote. The gridlock means voting will now move to a second round; however, it is unclear whether all three candidates will remain in the race.

A note was sent to the partnership yesterday asking partners to allow the candidates to consider their positions and it is thought the next round of voting will begin within days.

The high-profile current incumbent Popham is due to step down at the end of this year after serving a maximum of two four-year terms. He kicked off the process of finding his successor earlier this summer when he invited partners to come forward for the position, with Elman the first to throw his hat in the ring.

Other early favourites included longstanding Paris head Yves Wehrli, who had garnered support both in London and worldwide, but ruled himself out in an email to partners in August.

Other potential candidates cited during early soundings included City-based global finance head Mark Campbell, who was also understood not to be interested in the role.