Section 7: Filling of vacancies on Council

7. Filling of vacancies on Council (1) If a member of the Council dies, resigns or is removed from office, the vacancy thereby caused shall be filled— (a) in the case of a member appointed by the Minister, by a fresh appointment; (b) in the case of a member elected from amongst public officers, by appointing the public officer who obtained the highest number of votes after the elected public officers at the election held immediately before the vacancy arose; (c) in the case of a member who is not a public officer, by appointing the person who, not being a public officer, obtained the highest number of votes after the members elected, from among persons who are not public officers, at the election held immediately before the vacancy arose; (d) by holding a fresh election if no person qualifies for appointment under paragraph (b) or (c). (2) Where a member absents himself with the approval of the Council for a continuous period of 6 months or more, the Council may cause him to be replaced by a member appointed in the manner specified in subsection (1) (a), (1) (b) or (1) (c), as the case may be. (3) A member appointed under subsection (2) shall remain in office for such period as the Council may determine.