(1) An appeal shall lie from any decision of the registration officer under rule 20, 3[rule 21 or rule 21A] to such officer of Government as the Election Commission may designate in this behalf (hereinafter referred to as the appellate officer):
Provided that an appeal shall not lie where the person desiring to appeal has not availed himself of his right to be heard by, or to make representations to, the registration officer on the matter which is the subject of appeal.
(2) Every appeal under sub-rule (1) shall be—
(a) in the form of a memorandum signed by the appellant, and
(b) presented to the appellate officer within a period of fifteen days from the date of announcement of the decision or sent to that officer by registered post so as to reach him within that period.
(3) The presentation of an appeal under this rule shall not have the effect of staying or postponing any action to be taken by the registration officer under rule 22.
(4) Every decision of the appellate officer shall be final, but in so far as it reverses or modifies a decision of the registration officer, shall take effect only from the date of the decision in appeal.
(5) The registration officer shall cause such amendments to be made in the roll as may be necessary to give effect to the decisions of the appellate officer under this rule.