Finding of District Judge

(1) If the District judge after making such inquiry as he thinks necessary, finds in respect of any person whose election is called in question by petition, that his election was valid, the petition shall be dismissed against such person with costs. (2) If the District judge finds that the election of any person was invalid, he shall either-- (a) declare a casual vacancy to have arisen, or (b) declare another candidate to have been duly elected, which ever course appears, in the particular circumstances of the case, to be more appropriate; and in either case the District judge may award costs in his discretion. (3) In the event of the District judge declaring a casual vacancy to have arisen, he shall direct the Municipality to take proceedings for filling the vacancy.