653. Subject to the provisions of section 654, when the term of office of a commissioner expires more than six months before the general election fixed by section 622, the council may, within fifteen days following the vacancy, elect a person who has the qualifications required by section 615 to fill the office of such member for the remainder of the term.
Such election shall be by secret ballot and the director-general of the school board shall proclaim elected the person who obtains the majority of the votes of the members of the Council present. In case of a tie-vote, the president must give a casting vote.