Formation of boards of officers

1 - The board of officers of a polling station or section may not be formed before the time at which the station is scheduled to convene, or at a location other than that which was decided, failing which all the acts in which it takes part and the election shall be null and void.
2 - Once the board of officers has been formed, a public notice signed by the presiding officer and containing the names and electoral registration numbers of the citizens who comprise the board of officers, and the number of registered electors, shall immediately be affixed to the door of the building in which the polling station is assembled.
3 - Without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph (1), the members of the boards of officers of polling stations or sections must be present at the location in which each one is to operate one hour before the time at which electoral operations are scheduled to begin, so that those operations may commence at the set time.
4 - If, one hour after the time at which the station is scheduled to open, it has not been possible to form the board of officers because the members who are indispensable for it to operate are not present, the chairman of the parish council shall, subject to the unanimous agreement of the delegates for lists who are present, appoint substitutes for the absent members from among electors whose aptness is recognised and who are registered with that polling station or section, and from that moment on the appointment of the previous members of the board of officers who failed to attend shall be deemed to be without effect.
5 - Members of boards of officers of electoral stations are dispensed from the duty to present themselves at their employment, department or service on both election day and the following day, without prejudice to all their rights and benefits, including the right to remuneration, to which end they must provide adequate confirmation of their status.
6 - Abroad, the same right is granted to the board of officers who exercise functions in national official entities or services.