Grounds on which a candidate other than the returned person may be declared elected

If any person who has filed the petition, in addition to questioning the election of the returned person, has claimed for a declaration that he himself or any other candidate has been duly elected, and the authorized officer is of the opinion that: (a) the petitioner or such other candidate has actually obtained the majority of valid votes; or (b) but for the votes obtained by the returned person by corrupt practice, the petitioner or such other candidate would have obtained the majority of valid votes, then the authorized officer, after declaring the election of the returned person void, shall declare that the petitioner or such other candidate, as the case may be, has been duly elected.