The world’s newest democratic country put an end to 100 years of absolute monarchy, organizing its first parliamentary polls on Tuesday.

89 percent of the 320,000 registered voters showed up at the polls, electing a royalist party to occupy 44 of the 47 seats in the National Assembly. The other three seats were occupied by the Democratic Party.

The Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party was considered the more royalist of the two royalist parties in the elections.

The nation was very pleased with Bhutan’s king, whom they saw as a father-like figure. But it was the king who decided it would be better for his country to turn democratic in a peaceful and prosperous period, when it was not forced by the circumstances, but free to make an option. The nation was reluctant about the king’s decision, but eventually accepted it.

Karma Dorji, a 55-year-old civil servant explained to the Associated Press that Bhutan’s people doubted that the country would be more prosperous without the king ruling it, but they accepted the challenge, as they very much respected and admired their ruler.

"There was much resistance when His Majesty told us that we must decide our future if Bhutan was to prosper," Dorji said, according to the Associated Press.

But "we have come to see that this is an opportunity he has given us because he is farsighted and wise," he added.

Before the elections, both parties promised to respect the cultural and social traditions of Bhutan and protect the country’s environment, while striving to develop the country’s economy.

The new prime minister will be Jigmi Kinley, who already served twice as premier during royal rule.

The United States congratulated Bhutan’s nation for organizing their first democratic election. The US state department called the vote as an important "step in Bhutan's transition to a democratic, constitutional monarchy," BBC informed.