“Just as this moment comes with a great deal of hope, there remain a number of crucial tasks ahead for the next Government,” Mr. Ban added in a statement issued by his spokesperson. “The United Nations stands ready to support Tunisia in this respect.”

The Secretary-General visited Tunisia in mid-October, meeting with President Moncef Marzouki and pledging the Organization’s full support for the North African nation as it continues along the road to democracy.

Last January, Tunisia’s Parliament adopted the constitution, the country’s first since massive public demonstrations ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in early 2011, the first regime to be toppled in the so-called Arab Spring.

In his statement, Mr. Ban also extended his congratulations to the Tunisian electoral authorities for their efforts in organizing the polling and for their continued work on the presidential elections scheduled for next month.

UN Photo/Steve Tickner