57Rules for conduct of elections.N.I.
(1)The proceedings at a parliamentary election shall be conducted in accordance with the Parliamentary Elections Rules.
(2)The proceedings at a local election shall be conducted in accordance with the Local Elections Rules.
(3)The provisions of the Parliamentary Elections Rules and the Local Elections Rules may be varied by an Order in Council; but the Governor shall not be advised to make any such Order unless a draft thereof (which shall be subject to affirmative resolution) has been laid before Parliament.
(4)Where for any reason an election cannot be held or completed in accordance with the provisions of this Act and there is no statutory provision other than this sub-section for—
(a)the holding of the election at a later date; or
(b)procuring the completion of the election; or
(c)holding a fresh election;
the [F1 Chief Electoral Officer] may give such directions and make such arrangements as may be necessary for enabling the election to be so held or completed and such directions may in the case of an uncompleted election provide either for the holding of a fresh election or for the taking afresh of any of the proceedings of the uncompleted election and may determine the times at or within which any proceedings are to be taken and the provisions of this Act shall except as otherwise provided in this sub-section apply to any such election or proceeding.
(5)If the [F1 Chief Electoral Officer] is satisfied that any difficulty arises with respect to any local election or that for any reason a vacancy in a local authority cannot be filled in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the [F1 Chief Electoral Officer] may make such arrangements as [F1 he] considers necessary to procure the holding of an election and may apply, with such amendment as may be necessary, the Rules for the holding of [F1 local general] elections or of elections to fill casual vacancies…
F2(6)It shall be the general duty of the returning officer at an election to do all such acts and things as may be necessary for effectually conducting the election in accordance with the provisions of this Act.