Elections.
Section 54
SEC. 54. Elections.—For the purpose of the elections herein provided, the following shall govern: (a) Election of third members.—For the purpose of the election of the third members of the provincial board, as provided in paragraph (c) of section twenty-two hereof, the Governor-General, upon the recommendation of the department governor, shall fix not later than three months after the passage of this Act a date which may be different for each province, for the election of third members of the provincial boards: Provided, however, That until a duly elected and qualified third member of the provincial board shall take possession of the office, the department governor shall appoint, by and with the consent of the administrative council, the said third member of the provincial board. (b) Municipal elections.—The provisions of the Election Law, as amended, relating to the election of municipal officials, provided in section thirty-nine hereof, not inconsistent herewith, are hereby made applicable to the Department of Mindanao and Sulu with the following exceptions, to wit: 1. That the Governor-General, upon the recommendation of the department governor, shall fix a date for the general elections of municipal presidents not later than the date fixed for provincial governors herein provided: Provided, however, That nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to preclude the election of municipal presidents in municipalities organized under the provisions of Act Numbered Eighty-two. 2. That section thirteen (c) of said Act, shall, for the purposes of this Act, read as follows: Those who speak, read, and write English, Spanish, or any of the local native dialects: Provided, That officers, soldiers, sailors, or marines of the Army or Navy of the United States shall not be considered as having acquired legal residence within the meaning of this section by reason of their having been stationed in the municipalities for the required six months." (c) Term of office.—The provincial and municipal officers elected under this Act shall hold office until their successors qualify in accordance with the provisions of the Election Law. The term of office of all such elective officers shall be four years: Provided, however, That the next general election, immediately succeeding the first called pursuant to the provisions hereof, shall be coincident with the election prescribed by the Election Law for regularly organized provinces and municipalities.