KATHMANDU: The General Election Observation Committee (GEOC) Nepal has claimed that a favourable environment was created to hold the May 14 election in a peaceful manner; and it is a matter of pride in South Asia.

Showing respect and extending wishes to rival election contenders during the poll campaigns is a maximum practice of peace and harmony, said the GEOC.

Speaking at a press conference in the Capital on Friday, GEOC Chairman Himalayan Shamsher Rana stressed the need for observers to discharge their duties free of biasness, while saying the overall election preparations were positive despite some weakness reported in relation to voters' list and voter's education.

Likewise, GEOC member and former secretary Khemraj Regmi lauded the role of media to encourage voters to participate in the polls with high level security managements.

GEOC member and Executive Director of the Nepal Law Society, Krishna Man Pradhan, informed that observers were deployed in a total of 742 polling centers in 16 districts where the first phase of the May 14 elections is going to take place.

Senior journalist Hasta Gurung said the peaceful atmosphere and people's zeal for election has helped build the democratic practice.

People are curious to vote in the free, fair and transparent election, he added.