282Conduct of countback

282 Conduct of countback (1) The election manager must make reasonable efforts to— (a) notify the candidate who would be declared elected as a result of the countback; and (b) invite the candidate to complete a written declaration within 48 hours that the candidate is qualified to be a Councillor. (2) If the candidate completes the written declaration under subsection (1), section 284 applies. (3) If the candidate does not complete the written declaration under subsection (1), a further count is to be conducted as soon as is practicable after the period in subsection (1) has expired until— (a) a candidate who would be declared elected as a result of the countback and is invited to complete a written declaration within 48 hours that the candidate is qualified to be a Councillor does so; or (b) if there is only one candidate remaining, the candidate is invited to complete a written declaration within 48 hours that the candidate is qualified to be a Councillor and does so; or (c) there are no eligible candidates remaining. (4) For the purposes of the application of subsection (3), each time the process is repeated, a preference indicated for a candidate who failed to complete a written declaration is to be disregarded. (5) If subsection (3)(a) or (b) applies, section 284 applies. (6) If subsection (3)(c) applies, the countback has failed and section 283 applies.