The United States and the United Kingdom have urged all the stakeholders to create the necessary conditions to ensure that the people of provinces 1, 5, and 7 are given the opportunity to peacefully exercise their democratic right to elect local representation during the second phase of elections on Wednesday.

Issuing statements on Monday, the two countries said they recognise the efforts of all stakeholders—including the government, the Election Commission, civil society, political parties, and citizens—to conduct free, fair and transparent elections.

“Elections are how citizens express their political will, a right which is guaranteed by the laws and constitution of Nepal and Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” read the release from the US Embassy.

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

The British Embassy in Kathmandu called on all the stakeholders to create the necessary conditions to allow the people in the three provinces to exercise their right to vote, peacefully.

The United Kingdom said it remains committed to working with all the stakeholders for a “peaceful, inclusive, broadly-supported and credible” election process.