(1) The Election Commission may appoint one or more persons to assist any returning officer in the performance of his functions:

Provided that every such person shall be ¹[an officer of Government or of a local authority.]

(2) Every assistant returning officer shall, subject to the control of the returning officer, be competent to perform all or any of the functions of the returning officer:

Provided that no assistant returning officer shall perform any of the functions of the returning officer which relate ²*** to the scrutiny of nominations ³*** unless the returning officer is unavoidably prevented from performing the said function.

1. Subs. by Act 47 of 1966, s. 23, for "an officer of Government " (w.e.f. 14-12-1966).
2. Certain words omitted by Act 27 of 1956, s. 10 (w.e.f. 28-8-1956).
3. The words "or to the counting of votes " omitted by s. 10, ibid. (w.e.f. 28-8-1956).