Alterations and corrections in the election returns.
Section 194
SEC. 194. Alterations and corrections in the election returns.—Any correction or alteration made in the election returns by the board of inspectors before the announcement of the results of the election in the polling place shall be duly initialed by all the members thereof. After the announcement of the results of the election in the polling place has been made, the board of inspectors shall not make any alteration or amendment in any of the copies of the election returns unless so ordered by a competent court upon petition of the members of the board of inspectors within five (5) days from the date of the elections or twenty-four (24) hours from the time a copy of the election return concerned is opened by the board of canvassers, whichever period is earlier. The petition shall be accompanied by proof of service upon all candidates affected. If the petition is by all the members of the board of inspectors and the results of the election would not be affected by said correction and none of the candidates affected objects thereto, the court, upon being satisfied of the veracity of the petition and of the error alleged therein, shall order the board of inspectors to make the proper correction on the election returns. However, if a candidate affected by said petition objects thereto, whether the petition is filed by all or only a majority of the members of the board of inspectors, or if the results of the election would be affected by the correction sought to be made, the court shall proceed summarily to hear the petition. If it finds the petition meritorious and there are no evidences or signs indicating that the identity and integrity of the ballot box have been violated, the court shall order the opening of the ballot box. After satisfying itself that the integrity of the ballots therein has also been duly preserved, the court shall order the recounting of the votes of the candidates affected and the proper correction made on the election returns, unless the correction sought is such that it can be made without need of opening the ballot box.