UN Secretary-General António Guterres has commended the people of Venezuela "for their determination to express their will peacefully through the ballot box," his Spokesperson said on Monday.
Following hours of delays, incumbent Nicolas Maduro was formally declared winner of the disputed presidential election held on Sunday, securing a third term in office.
"We have taken note of the announcement made by the electoral authorities as well as the concerns expressed by political actors and members of the international community," UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists in New York.
Appeal for moderation
"The Secretary-General calls for complete transparency and encourages the timely publication of the election results and a breakdown by polling stations," he said.
"The Secretary-General trusts that all electoral disputes will be addressed and resolved peacefully and calls on all Venezuelan political leaders and their supporters for moderation," he added.
Furthermore, the UN chief "recalls that electoral authorities should undertake their work independently and without interference to guarantee the free expression of the will of the electorate."
