17.—(1) If at the close of nominations, two or more candidates remain validly nominated for an electoral ward, the member for that ward shall be elected from among them at a poll under article 5 or, as the case may be, 8 above.
(2) If one candidate only remains validly nominated as aforesaid, the returning officer shall cause public notice to be given that there will be no poll in that ward, and that on the day when the poll at the election would have been held, that candidate shall be declared elected in accordance with the provisions of article 45 below.
(3) If no candidates for an electoral ward are validly nominated as aforesaid, a further election to fill the vacancy shall be held within three months of the day when the poll at the election would have been held.
(4) The public notice to be given under this article shall be in such form as the returning officer thinks fit.