UNITED NATIONS (CMC) — United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has hailed the election on Sunday of Joselerme Privert as the interim President of Haiti.

Privert’s election by the National Assembly comes one week after the departure of former President Michel Martelly.

Opposition parties had boycotted the second round of elections on January 24 to elect a successor to Martelly, accusing the Provisional Electoral Council and Martelly of wanting to rig the polls in favour of the government-backed candidate.

“This election stems from the agreement signed on February 6 between Haitian stakeholders to preserve institutional continuity and further the electoral process,” according to a statement issued by Ban’s spokesperson.

In welcoming this “crucial first step”, the UN Secretary-General urged all parties to work together towards the implementation of the road map contained in the agreement “to ensure the return to constitutional normality.

“The secretary general expresses his confidence that the stabilisation of Haiti and the democratic process will continue in a peaceful and collaborative manner,” the statement said.

Privert will serve as interim President for 120 days.

“[The] election is a fundamental step in the implementation of the Political Agreement for institutional continuity, signed on February 5 between the branches of the executive and legislative branches of power,” said the UN Special Representative in Haiti, Sandra Honoré, in a joint statement with other members of the international community represented in the so-called “Core Group” — Brazil, Canada, Spain, France, United States, European Union and Organization of American States.

The group reiterated its invitation to all stakeholders to work together in achieving this political agreement, “to ensure the return to constitutional normality, stabilising institutions of the Republic, the appointment of a consensus prime minister and the continuation of the electoral process on time.”

The UN and its partners in Haiti also called on all stakeholders to uphold the best interests of the country, in a spirit of dialogue and compromise, and in a peaceful, violence-free climate.