Representational Image The schedule for by-elections to fill vacant Panchayat posts in Uttarakhand has been announced. According to the schedule released by the State Election Commission, elections will be held for a total of 3,922 posts, comprising Gram Panchayat members, Gram Pradhans, and Kshetra Panchayat members. Voting for these posts is scheduled for October 12, 2026 while the vote counting and declaration of results will take place on October 14. With the announcement of the election schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into effect in the respective areas. The Commission has issued necessary guidelines to the district administration and election officials to ensure the election process is completed within the stipulated timeframe. Barring Haridwar district, three-tier Panchayat elections were held across the state’s other 12 districts in 2025. Since then, numerous Panchayat posts—including those of Gram Panchayat members, Gram Pradhans, and Kshetra Panchayat members—have remained vacant for various reasons. According to the Commission, by-elections are to be held for 3,890 Gram Panchayat member posts, 23 Gram Pradhan posts, and 9 Kshetra Panchayat member posts. As per the schedule released by the State Election Commission, the nomination process for the by-elections began on September 26. Candidates can file their nomination papers at the office of the concerned Returning Officer within the prescribed timeframe. The window for filing nominations is set for September 30 and October 1, 2026, between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on October 3, and the deadline for the withdrawal of nominations is October 4. Election symbols will be allotted on October 5. Subsequently, voting will be held on October 12, and the results will be declared on October 14 following the vote counting.