(1) If the tribunal alter making such inquiry as it deems fit, finds, in respect of any person whose election is called in question by a petition, that his election was valid, it shall dismiss the petition as against, such person and award costs at its discretion.
(2) If the tribunal finds that the election of any person was invalid it shall either—
(a) declare a casual vacancy to have been created, or
(b) declare another candidate to have been duly elected and in either case may award costs at its discretion.
56. If any person who has, lodged an election petition has in addition to calling in question the election of the returned candidate, claimed a declaration that he himself or any other candidate has been duly elected and the tribunal is of the opinion that in fact the petitioner or such other candidate received a majority of the valid votes, the tribunal shall, after declaring the election of the returned candidate to be void declare the petitioner or such other candidate, as the case may be, to have been duly elected :
Provided that the petitioner or such oilier candidate shall not be declared to be duly elected if it is proved that the clection of such candidate would have been void if he had been returned candidate and a petition had been presented calling in question his election.
57. If during the trial of an election petition it appears that there is an equality of votes between any candidates at the election and that the addition of a vote would entitle any of those candidates to be declared elected, then —
(a) any decision, made by the Returning Officer under the provisions of these rules, shall, in so far as it determines the question between those candidates be effective also tor the purpose of the petition ; and
(b) in so far as .that question is not determined by such a decision, the Tribunal shall decide between them by lot and proceed as if the one on whom the lot then falls had received an additional vote.
58. An order of the tribunal under sub-rule (2) of rule 55 shall take effect from the following the date of the order.
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