Section 12. Filling of casual vacancies

1[ 12. If a vacancy occurs by reason of death or otherwise in the office of a Pramukh, Up-Pramukh or an elected member of the Kshettra Panchayat. it 2[shall be filled before the expiration of a period of six months from the date of such vacancy] in the manner provided for in sections 6 or 7, as the case may be, for the residue of the term of his predecessor : Provided that if on the date of occurrence of such vacancy the residue of the term of the Kshettra Panchayat is less than six months, the vacancy shall not be filled. ]