Kathmandu, December 15 The United States has commended the citizens and the Government of Nepal for conducting peaceful, orderly and broadly supported provincial assembly and parliamentary polls on November 26 and December 7, and for managing the challenging process of counting and tabulating results. “The successful completion of polls at the local, provincial and national levels is an important milestone in Nepal’s democratic journey, one that should set the stage for responsive governance based on the principles of transparency, inclusivity, rule of law and service delivery,” a press release issued by the US Embassy said. The tremendous efforts of countless government officials, elections officials, volunteers, security personnel, observers, political parties and others who contributed to creating a generally safe and well-organised atmosphere for conducting five phases of polls across the country deserve praise.  We congratulate all participants and look forward to working with the new government as it embarks on the next phase of constitutional implementation, it added. “With the completion of the last round of constitutionally-mandated direct elections comes an important opportunity for the people of Nepal —  the implementation of the constitution through elections, federalisation and the strengthening of governmental institutions has the potential to usher in a new era of political stability,” it stated.  It also said this was an essential prerequisite for the economic growth and development Nepal. It is now the responsibility of Nepal’s newly elected representatives at all levels to focus on inclusive, transparent, accountable governance that serves and benefits all of Nepal’s people, according to the release.