(1) The Deputy Electoral Commissioner shall assist the Electoral Commissioner as directed by the Electoral Commissioner and shall perform any function delegated to him under section 5G.

(2) Subject to section 5D, when ¾

(a) the Electoral Commissioner is absent from duty for any reason or is absent from the State;

(b) the Electoral Commissioner has been suspended; or

(c) the office of Electoral Commissioner is vacant,

the Deputy Electoral Commissioner shall act in the office of the Electoral Commissioner during the absence, suspension or vacancy and, while he is so acting ¾

(d) he may perform all the functions of the Electoral Commissioner and anything done by him in so performing those functions has the like effect as if it were done by the Electoral Commissioner; and

(e) any act or thing that is required under a written law to be done to, by reference to or in relation to the Electoral Commissioner shall be regarded as effectually done if done to, by reference to or in relation to the Deputy Electoral Commissioner.

[Section 5H inserted by No. 40 of 1987 s. 20.]