The United States (US) has hailed the efforts of everyone in conducting what appeared to have been generally orderly, peaceful, and broadly supported local elections in Provinces 1, 5, and 7 on Wednesday.

In a statement on Thursday, the US embassy in Kathmandu urged all concerned stakeholders to work to create the necessary conditions to ensure that the people of Province 2 will also have the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to elect local representation in a peaceful environment in the third phase of local polls slated for September.

“We encourage continued efforts to reach a political agreement enabling the broadest participation of voters in the final phase of local election,” read the statement, underlining the need for compromises on all sides.

Through the statement, the US has strongly encouraged Nepal Government to permit unrestricted international election observation during the final phase of local elections, in order to enable the international community, including accredited diplomats, to observe and offer support to the outcomes of the election.

“We also look forward Nepal’s timely completion of elections at the provincial and national levels in order to solidify the credibility of the electoral process and strengthen democratic transition across Nepal,” the statement further read.

Urging all parties to mutually respect the freedom of peaceful expression and assembly, and individual voters’ rights as laid out in Nepal’s laws and constitution, the US has also called on the security forces to exercise restraint and comply with existing national and international standards when carrying out their duties.

The US has said it will remain committed to encouraging a peaceful, inclusive, broadly-supported and credible election process.