Kiron received 27 votes, with Australia's Moya Dodd, a co-opted member of the FIFA Executive Committee from 2013 to 2016, claiming 17.

The 50-year-old has a term on the Council until 2019.

North Korea's Han Un Gyong and Susan Shalabi Molano of Palestine both withdrew from the race this morning prior to the vote.

China's Zhang Jian, South Korea's Chung Mong Gyu and Mariano V Araneta of The Philippines were elected by acclamation as they were the only three candidates standing for the other vacant places on FIFA's ruling Council. 

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah of Kuwait had withdrawn his candidacy for re-election on April 30.

The Kuwaiti, a key and influential powerbroker in world sport, also stepped down from his positions on the FIFA Council, its Reform Committee and the AFC Executive Committee after he appeared to be identified in a United States Department of Justice (DoJ) document in connection with their corruption investigation.

The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) President, also head of the Olympic Council of Asia, strongly denies any wrongdoing after the DoJ seemingly identified him as "co-conspirator number two" in the case involving Guam's Richard Lai.

Lai pleaded guilty to charges of receiving nearly $1 million (£773,000/€915,000) in bribes.

Araneta told insidethegames after the Congress that he was "elated" to be elected to FIFA's ruling Council, and admitted Asia was "shocked" at Sheikh Ahmad's alleged link to the corruption scandal.

"On the FIFA Council, I represent the developing countries and we have to look at how we help them," he said.

"We have to tailor-fit development for each country."

Kiron's elevation to the FIFA Council comes despite her having not released a manifesto or provided an indication of her ideas should she be elected.

The Bangladesh Football Federation had lobbied intensely on her behalf in the build-up to the election.

"I am convinced that, as FIFA Council member, you will be able to bring your outstanding contribution to FIFA, but most importantly to the development of our beautiful game, which we both love so much," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in congratulating Kiron for her win.

Today's elections mean the AFC now has its full compliment of officials on the Council, who are due to meet tomorrow.

The elections were initially due to be held in September at the AFC's Congress in Goa but the membership voted against the agenda in protest at FIFA's decision to exclude vice-president Saoud Al-Mohannadi from standing, due to allegations of ethics breaches.

World football's governing body then banned the Qatari for a year in November after he was found guilty by the Ethics Committee of breaking FIFA rules on duty of disclosure, cooperation and reporting, as well as his "general obligation to collaborate". 

But the Appeals Committee quashed his one-year ban last month.