Paragraph 18 of the Standard Constitution applies subject to paragraph (2).

If any vacancies occurring among those posts to be filled by election under article 4(1)(a) result in any Section having no members, the Council may act only for the purpose of filling those vacancies (together with any other vacancies as exist at that time for posts described in article 4(1)(a), (b) or (c)), by holding such by-elections (or holding such by-elections and requiring such appointments) as are necessary to fill those vacancies.