When she was appointed prime minister of the interim government on September 12, Sushila Karki’s chief task was to hold the snap parliamentary elections on March 5. She completed that duty on Thursday.

In the early days after the lower house was dissolved and elections were announced, the CPN-UML, the party led by ousted prime minister KP Sharma Oli, was vehemently opposed to the polls. Oli’s erstwhile coalition partner Nepali Congress also backed UML’s petition in the court demanding the restoration of Parliament. But both these parties fully participated in the polls.

There was a great deal of confusion over whether the House of Representatives election would take place on schedule. Security challenges had mounted, mainly due to hundreds of inmates who escaped from prisons on September 9. Weapons looted from security personnel were also considered a big threat.

Despite several political and security challenges following the Gen Z-led uprising of September 8–9, Karki successfully led the nation to the elections. The outcome is expected to give the country political stability.

Several party leaders and public intellectuals have praised the role of prime minister Karki.

After polling concluded on Thursday, President Ramchandra Paudel expressed satisfaction that the elections were conducted peacefully and that the complex situation in the country had eased. Paudel thanked the government, the Election Commission, and all concerned parties for their active role in making the election successful, as well as all ‘Nepali brothers and sisters’.

Foreign diplomatic missions also congratulated the Karki administration on holding the election successfully.

Political leaders, ranging from Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa and Nepali Communist Party Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal to Rastriya Prajatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane and senior RSP leader Balendra Shah, praised the Karki government for accomplishing its task.

Issuing a statement on Thursday evening, Thapa thanked the government for conducting the election in a peaceful environment.

“We would like to express special thanks to the government and the Election Commission of Nepal for successfully conducting the election in a peaceful atmosphere, except for a few incidents in some constituencies.”

Thapa also congratulated civil servants and security agencies “who worked day and night to make the election successful”.

The enthusiasm of voters across the country has expressed the Nepali people’s firm commitment to democracy, Thapa noted. “On behalf of the Nepali Congress, I express sincere gratitude and high respect to all mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers who cast their valuable vote.”

Thapa stated that the active participation of people will make political parties and the future government more responsible to work towards meeting public expectations.

The Karki-led government launched an operation to recover the looted arms and capture fleeing inmates.

CPN-UML Chairman Oli thanked the government, the Election Commission, the voters, officials deployed for the election, and security personnel for the successful conduct of elections.

Former prime minister Dahal hailed the elections as peaceful and civilised, held in a democratic environment overcoming the doubts.

“The House of Representatives election, which was announced to steer a complex political situation towards stability, has been completed in a peaceful, civilised, and democratic environment,” Dahal wrote on Facebook after the polls.

The high participation of the people in the vote, and their patience and trust in the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal have further strengthened the system, Dahal noted.

He also expressed hope that all sides will move together in the future for the benefit of the country and its people.

Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane wrote on the social media platform X: “Political parties and leaders must make decisions by respecting public sentiment, basing them on national needs. When decisions are made keeping the nation at the centre, democracy also becomes result-oriented.”

Posting the photo of prime minister Karki, RSP senior leader Shah wrote on social media, “under your leadership, democracy has won”.

Gen-Z representatives also congratulated the prime minister and demanded a political roadmap for the country. They also asked the government to publish the report of Gauri Bahadur Karki-led commission working to look into the September uprising.

Several diplomatic missions congratulated the Karki government on the successful election.

India has offered to work with the new government of Nepal “to further build on the robust multifaceted ties between our two countries and peoples for mutual benefit”.

A statement issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday evening said it welcomed the successful conduct of elections. The neighbour also lauded the Nepali people for exercising their democratic mandate enthusiastically.

“We congratulate Prime Minister Sushila Karki, the Government and the people of Nepal as well as various stakeholders for successfully holding these polls which took place against the backdrop of exceptional circumstances last year.

“India has consistently supported peace, progress and stability in Nepal and in keeping with our commitment, provided logistical supplies as per request from the government of Nepal for these elections,” read the statement.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming congratulated Nepal on “such a peaceful, orderly and smooth House of Representatives election”.

Zhang stated: “Warm congratulations to the Nepali people on exercising their democratic rights. Great efforts by the Nepali authorities and people from all sectors for this election must be fully noted. Wish Nepal stability, development and prosperity, and the Nepali people happiness, health and success! China always stands with Nepal.”

The US Embassy congratulated the people of Nepal on holding the elections. “We look forward to working with the incoming government on shared goals of prosperity and security for both our countries,” the embassy stated.

The Swiss Embassy also congratulated the government and people of Nepal on the successful conduct of the House election, calling it an important step towards fulfilling the aspirations of Nepal and the Nepali people in a democratic process.

Similarly, France congratulated the nation on a peaceful electoral process which underlines the commitment of Nepali people to democracy.

Another European country, Norway stated: “This is an important milestone for democracy in Nepal. Norway looks forward to continuing our cooperation, and to further deepening our longstanding partnership.”

Prime Minister Karki said she felt happy that “we were able to fulfill the responsibility entrusted to us”. Issuing a statement after the election, she credited the entire Council of Ministers with the successful accomplishment of the mission.

“The Election Commission, security agencies, civil servants, political parties, and candidates all played their roles. Most importantly, the Nepali people who accepted our call and participated in the election made this possible,” Karki noted.

She stressed that the integrated election security plan was effective in concluding the polls peacefully. “There was good coordination among the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, National Investigation Department, and the Home Administration. Everyone worked with a shared national spirit, and they all deserve thanks.”

Karki praised the patience and understanding of the families of martyrs and injured fighters in the period since the September revolt.

To the calls for bringing out the report of the inquiry commission without further delay, she said it would be implemented as soon as the panel submits it to the government. “Impunity of any kind should not be allowed in the country,” she said.