294   Dispensing with by-elections

(1)  This section applies if a casual vacancy occurs in the office of a councillor, including a mayor elected by the electors of an area, within 18 months before the date specified for the next ordinary election of the councillors for the area.

(2)  If such a casual vacancy occurs in the office of a councillor (but not the office of a mayor elected by the electors), the Minister may, on the application of the council:

(a)  order that the vacancy not be filled, or

(b)  order the holding on a stated day of a by-election to fill the vacancy and revoke any earlier order made under paragraph (a).

(3)  If such a casual vacancy occurs in the office of a mayor elected by the electors, the casual vacancy is to be filled by the Governor appointing to the vacant office a councillor nominated by the council.

(4)  If the council does not nominate a councillor for the purposes of subsection (3), the Governor may appoint one of the councillors to the vacant office.