WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States on Monday gave a cautious welcome to Haiti’s latest attempt to hold a presidential election, calling it a step towards constitutional rule despite isolated incidents of violence.

The troubled Caribbean nation held the first round of voting in a new presidential race on Sunday after a long delay that frustrated Washington, Haiti’s main aid donor and most influential partner.

US State Department spokesman John Kirby called the vote an “important step towards returning Haiti to full constitutional rule” and hailed those Haitians who voted “in a peaceful manner.”

Kirby noted what he said were “isolated incidents” of intimidation and urged Haiti to deal with them under its own law while pushing towards a second round vote and a new president “in early 2017”.

There were long lines at polling stations on Friday but there were only 18 arrests around the country for minor infractions, according to Haiti’s national police spokesman Gary Desrosiers.

The election was originally held in October 2015 —after an 18-month delay — but the results were eventually scrapped amid opposition protests after an independent commission found massive fraud.

Counting was still underway Monday. Any candidate who wins more than half of the votes already cast will be the victor. Otherwise, a runoff between the top two challengers is set for January 29.