Deadlines for the appointment of the returning officer, of the permanent representative and their substitute, swearing-in, sphere of activity of the returning officer

(1) The returning officer, the permanent representative appointed according to the regulations set out in § 8, § 10 and § 11, as well as any other substitutes, who could be called on in case the returning officer should be prevented from carrying out his/her duties, are part of an election authority, which has to be re-elected for each new election. These have to be nominated seven days after the qualifying date, at the latest, except when such nominations are carried out for elections authorities, the setting up of which is being delayed for any of the reasons discussed in § 14, para 4.

(2) Before taking their position, the elected officials have to give a gentlemen's agreement as to their impartiality and conscientious fulfilment of their duty to the one who appointed them or to someone commissioned by them.

(3) Until the composition of the new elections authorities before every election, their chairmen (or representatives) are to conduct all urgent affairs of these authorities as well as to take in all applications.

(4) After the composition of the new elections authorities, their chairmen (or representatives) have to report their previous activities to the elections authorities. Thereafter they are to conduct all affairs which are not reserved for the elections authorities themselves, as set out in § 7, para 1.