The Election of Uthman refers to the appointment of Uthman ibn Affan as the third caliph by a committee (shura) assembled by the second caliph Umar in 23 AH (643-4 CE). The committee likely consisted of six early Muslims from the Quraysh tribe, including the prophet Muhammad's son-in-law Uthman and Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib. The tie-breaker vote was given to Uthman's brother-in-law Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf, who appointed the former as the next caliph after some deliberation. The choice of the wealthy Uthman is often explained as intended to guard the interests of the Quraysh elite and to follow the practices of the first two caliphs, namely, Abu Bakr and Umar. The committee has been criticized for its exclusion of other Muslims.