Mangaluru : Electronic voting machines (EVM) will not be used for Gram Panchayat elections scheduled in Dakshina Kannada on May 29, according to A.B. Ibrahim, Deputy Commissioner.

Addressing presspersons here on Thursday he said that due to multi-preferential voting, ballot papers would be used.

He said that model code of conduct which would come into effect from May 10 would not apply to the jurisdiction of urban local bodies, including Mangaluru City Corporation, city municipalities and town panchayats. It is applicable to the jurisdiction of all Gram Panchayats.

The code of conduct would not apply for organising cultural programmes, religious programmes and other functions such as marriages, birthdays. But the same programmes should not be used as an occasion for canvassing.

The notification for the elections, which would be apolitical, would be issued on May 11. The last date to submit applications is May 18. They would be scrutinised on May 19 and the last date for withdrawing nominations would be May 21. The elections would be conducted from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The counting would take place on June 5.