NEW YORK CITY – The UN Security Council has expressed deep disappointment that Haitian officials failed to meet election and inauguration deadlines agreed upon in the February political accord, calling on all concerned to ensure the prompt return to constitutional order.

In a statement, the council welcomed, however, the reconstitution of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) and noted the establishment of a commission to evaluate and verify the elections held in 2015, stressing the need for the commission to be technical, apolitical and transparent and complete its work within its 30-day mandate.

“The members of the Security Council noted the increasing number of challenges Haiti faces; they can be best resolved through close coordination between a democratically elected government, Haitian civil society, and Haiti’s international partners,” the statement said.

Reiterating its strong condemnation of any attempt to destabilize or manipulate the electoral process, in particular through violence, the council urged all candidates, their supporters, political parties and other actors to refrain from violence or any action that can further disrupt the electoral process and political stability.

The council also urged all actors to resolve any electoral disputes through constructive engagement and the appropriate legal mechanisms, and for the government of Haiti to hold those responsible for any violence accountable.

On Feb. 14, the Haitian National Assembly elected Jocelerme Privert as the island nation’s interim president one week after former president Michel Martelly demitted office without a successor.

On April 25, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was deeply concerned that the agreed-upon date for holding elections in Haiti – April 24 – had not been met.

That date had been set following an agreement, known as the 5 February Agreement, between Haitian stakeholders to preserve institutional continuity and further the electoral process.